Canada orders submarines from Germany… but there’s no dock to build them? Is the fierce submarine competition between Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries poison? | Aviation Week Correspondent Kim Min-seok

Summary

Aviation Week correspondent Kim Min-seok discusses the state of Korea's defense industry, focusing on submarine rivalry between Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and their improved cooperation after the Poland submarine setback. He highlights the strong export prospects for Korean submarines, Cheongung II missile system, K2 tank via Poland, and KF21 fighter jet, while cautioning that political factors and misinformation remain risks.

• Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have moved toward one-team cooperation after losing the Poland submarine deal, laying groundwork for future joint bids like Saudi Arabia.
• Korean submarines demonstrated world-class reliability and long-range endurance during the RIMPAC exercise, reinforcing their global reputation.
• Cheongung II missile demand is surging; production capacity concerns are overstated as Korea's domestic supply chain can scale rapidly.
• Poland's local K2 tank production creates a 'Made in Europe' path for additional sales to Eastern European nations.
• KF21 fighter jet export inquiries are serious, with expectations of 200+ units within a decade and much larger long-term potential.
• Undisclosed defense deals and occasional fake news create near-term noise, but underlying export momentum remains strong.