Structural Competitiveness Created by European Instability, U.S.–China Rivalry, Manufacturing Capability, Alliance Trust, and Full-Spectrum Production Capacity
Many countries around the world in the 21st century reduced military spending and focused on economic growth, but South Korea needed stable and continuous military strength more than any other nation.
Facing the direct threat of North Korea,
South Korea never once had the option of “reducing defense spending.”
This special situation paradoxically elevated the Korean defense industry
to an overwhelming level in the global market.
In addition, with rising instability in Europe, the unpredictability of Russia,
and the U.S.–China rivalry, Korea has now become the only manufacturing power
that fits perfectly into the U.S.–NATO system.
Below is an analysis of the structural background
explaining why Korea’s defense industry can only grow stronger in the future.
Rising security instability in Europe and the ‘collapse of trust’ in Russia
Russia is no longer a neighbor Europe can trust
After the Ukraine war, the first thing European countries realized is this:
“Russia is not a controllable state.”
Since 1990, Europe viewed Russia as:
- an energy supplier
- an economic cooperation partner
- a manageable risk country
However, Russia’s actions completely destroyed the “assumption of peace”
that had been maintained for 30 years.
After Putin came to power, Russia attacked Georgia and Chechnya,
eliminating elements that could threaten Russia.
At that time, the West regarded it as just “a small disturbance in the Middle East”
and did not pay significant attention.
But Russia was training soldiers in real combat
and preparing to counter NATO’s eastward expansion.
Even when the war ends, Europe will have no choice but to stay tense
Many people think, “Once the war ends, military spending will decrease.”
But Europe is moving toward the opposite situation.
- Russia will rebuild its military power after the war.
- Europe has no independent defense production capability.
- NATO’s surrounding countries will continue to maintain tension.
- Europe must cut dependence on Russia for both energy and security.
In other words,
the end of the war does not mean a reduction in military spending;
it is the starting point of an era preparing for an even bigger war.
The world is effectively divided in half.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, even more wars occurred.
And because a new Cold War has begun in earnest,
many countries will prepare for war in advance.
Why? Because humans fear anxiety.
During war, total war is carried out,
but before war—especially when signs of war appear—
countries prepare for it.
Demand for weapons is created not by war, but by “anxiety”
It is true that war consumes weapons,
but the real core of the defense market lies elsewhere.
Countries increase military spending not because war has happened,
but because war might happen.
This is the demand created by “anxiety.”
Europe cannot avoid this anxiety now:
- Poland, the Baltic States: bordering Russia
- Germany, Norway: decided on defense expansion
- Sweden, Finland: strengthening military power after joining NATO
- France, the UK: announced plans to expand forces
The more countries fear the possibility of war,
the more explosive the demand becomes for shells, self-propelled howitzers, tanks, and missiles.
Especially in the current Ukraine–Russia war,
interest focused heavily on drones.
Although interest in conventional weapons had declined for some time,
this war again proved that “the king of battle is the self-propelled artillery.”
Infantry tactics also changed significantly, now combined with drone use.
While Europe is building new factories, Korea is already producing
Most European countries drastically reduced defense production facilities long ago.
- Ammunition production lines reduced
- Tank production stopped
- Armored vehicle / howitzer production delayed
- Missile production insufficient
Europe is now starting to rebuild factories,
but it will take at least 10 years before real production begins.
Who supplies the needed weapons in the meantime?
Korea.
Korea can already simultaneously produce:
- artillery shells
- self-propelled howitzers
- armored vehicles
- tanks
- missiles
- air defense systems
- radar
- submarines
- even fighter jets
Korea has consistently developed an independent weapons production system
to counter North Korea, designated as its main enemy,
and because the Korean Peninsula is still in an armistice.
Development and production of conventional weapons are already complete,
and Korea is now building forces that completely overwhelm the North.
In all fields—4.5-generation fighters, nuclear submarines approval, K-9 howitzers, drones—
Korea is already prepared.
A low-orbit satellite–based infantry–artillery–bomber system is already complete.
If war breaks out, drones acquire information, send it to low-orbit satellites,
and then this is relayed to artillery and infantry.
Any shortage in firepower is supported from the rear,
allowing perfect efficiency when combat occurs.
Korean defense is fully compatible with the U.S.–NATO system
One of the greatest advantages of Korean weapons is that
they are “fully compatible” with the U.S. and European weapon systems.
Complete compatibility with NATO standards:
- 155mm shells
- tank ammunition
- guided missile platforms
- communication equipment standards
- battle command systems
- datalink structures
Because of these standards,
European countries can buy Korean weapons and
deploy them in real combat without additional training.
This is the strongest advantage in the defense market.
Compatibility is everything in defense.
Since the Korean War, Korea received massive support from the U.S.
and developed weapon systems compatible with equipment left by U.S. forces.
Because of this, Korea now has the advantage of full compatibility
with the weapons used by NATO.
**Korean weapons cannot be exported to China—
but that is actually an advantage**
Defense is inherently an alliance-based industry.
Countries using U.S.–NATO systems
cannot buy weapons from China or Russia.
And China and Russia
cannot adopt U.S.–NATO weapons, either.
Because Korean weapons belong to the U.S. alliance system,
they can be purchased by the majority of the U.S., European,
and Southeast Asian markets.
Thus, Korea is a country that can access
the largest weapons market in the world—the Western market.
Korea is the fastest, most affordable, and most trusted defense supplier in the world
Fast. Extremely fast.
Korea already operates defense production lines
and has a mass-production–capable industrial base.
Stockpiled materials are also enormous.
Korea has an oversupply of artillery shells, tanks, and self-propelled guns.
It is said Korea has enough shells to fire one shell every meter into North Korea
and still have leftovers—showing how massive its reserves are.
Tank numbers exceed 1,000 per brigade.
Korea already possesses overwhelming firepower.
While other countries are building factories,
Korea can already supply weapons.
Affordable
This does not mean “cheap.”
More precisely:
“The cost-to-performance, quality, and compatibility are the best in the world.”
Korean weapons are:
- cheaper than American
- faster than European
- more trustworthy than Chinese
A trusted nation
Korea is classified internationally as a country
with almost no political risk.
- low probability of contract violations
- low corruption
- adherence to legal regulations
- high alliance trustworthiness
Defense is an industry where trust is the most important factor.
Korea receives the highest scores in this area.
Korea is a full-spectrum defense producer across land, sea, and air
Land
- K2 tank
- K9 self-propelled howitzer
- armored vehicles and MLRS
- full-scale ammunition, shells, and guided weapons manufacturing
Sea
As a shipbuilding powerhouse,
Korea is one of the few countries in the world
capable of producing an entire navy.
- destroyers
- frigates
- submarines
- naval radar
- shipborne weapon systems
Air
With the successful development of the KF-21 Boramae,
Korea has become a country capable of independently producing and exporting fighter jets.
Only six countries in the world can independently develop and mass-produce fighters:
- United States
- Russia
- China
- France
- Sweden
- South Korea
Furthermore, older fighter-producing nations developed their jets long ago,
while the KF-21 is newly developed
and capable of continuous and extensive upgrades.
Korea has begun a fully aggressive defense export strategy
Korea’s defense exports are not passive sales.
Korea is already using a fully aggressive global expansion strategy:
- construction of local manufacturing plants
- training and maintenance packages
- long-term supply contracts
- local parts production systems
- package export models (tanks + howitzers + fighters)
Korea’s defense industry is no longer simply an export industry—
it is now a strategic, national core industry.
India already produces the K-9 howitzer under license,
and Indonesia participates in the KF-21 program
(although Indonesia has recently shown poor performance in making payments).
**Final Conclusion:
Korea’s defense power is strong not because of a single factor
but because the entire structure is strong**
- Rising European instability → explosive demand for weapons and shells
- Military spending driven not by war, but by fear
- European factories have collapsed → long-term dependence on Korea
- U.S.–China rivalry increases demand for Western-system weapons
- Korean weapons are instantly compatible with NATO
- Fast, affordable, and highly reliable
- One of the few countries capable of full-spectrum land–sea–air production
- Aggressive defense export strategy already underway
- Manufacturing capability + alliance trust + production capacity = structural advantage
In conclusion:
Korea’s defense industry is not a temporary boom,
but a long-term, structural growth industry created by global geopolitical shifts.