Korea’s top defense procurement official made a direct pitch to European buyers this week, positioning the country’s arms industry for deeper expansion into NATO’s eastern flank.
Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Lee Yong-cheol attended MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland on Wednesday. The annual International Defence Industry Exhibition ranks as Eastern Europe’s largest arms fair. Lee’s presence signaled Seoul’s intent to convert its recent high-profile defense deals with Poland into broader regional partnerships.
Lee began his European trip Tuesday, landing in Poland before a two-day stop in Croatia. He returns to Korea Friday.
While at the exhibition, Lee sat down with Poland’s deputy defense minister and Estonia’s undersecretary for defense. The conversations focused on expanding defense cooperation, DAPA confirmed Thursday.
A dedicated Korean promotional booth at the fair supported small and medium-sized defense companies seeking contracts with international buyers. Meanwhile, sixteen major Korean defense firms set up their own pavilions, including Hanwha Group and Hyundai Rotem. Both companies have played central roles in Korea’s recent arms export surge, particularly through tank and howitzer deliveries to Poland.
MSPO 2026 opened Tuesday and closes Friday. The event showcases advanced weapons systems for land, air, and naval forces. Last year’s edition drew participants from 35 countries and roughly 39,000 visitors.
As a result of Korea’s growing reputation as a fast and reliable defense supplier, Eastern European nations now view Seoul as a counterweight to regional security pressures. Poland alone has committed billions to Korean tanks, fighter jets, and rocket artillery since 2022.
Lee’s meetings in Kielce and Zagreb suggest DAPA wants to lock in that momentum. Expect more government-level diplomacy tied to arms exports as Korean manufacturers push beyond one-off sales toward long-term industrial partnerships across Europe.
