South Korean defense firms draw interest at DSA 2026
April 22 (Asia Today) -- South Korean defense companies drew strong interest at DSA 2026 in Malaysia, highlighting the country's growing presence in Southeast Asia's defense market as regional militaries push ahead with modernization efforts.
DSA 2026, one of Asia's largest defense and security exhibitions, is being held from Sunday through Wednesday at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
According to South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement and the Korea Defense Industry Association, promising small and mid-sized South Korean defense firms have been actively marketing their products at the exhibition.
South Korea is participating with 23 companies, including eight independent exhibitors, seven companies in the Gyeongnam Techno Park pavilion and eight companies in the integrated Korea pavilion.
Products on display include battlefield awareness and detection systems, intelligent command-and-control equipment, tactical mobility and operational gear, and maintenance and sustainment systems.
Officials said the exhibition strategy was aimed at meeting rising demand in Southeast Asia, where countries are seeking affordable and rapidly deployable systems as they modernize their armed forces.
Jeong Gi-young, head of future strategy programs at South Korea's arms procurement agency, told reporters at the event that Southeast Asian countries are looking not only for faster delivery but also for cost-effective weapons systems suited to their budgets.
"South Korea is in the best position to meet both needs, which is why interest from Southeast Asia is growing," Jeong said.
Among the companies drawing attention at the Korea pavilion were Susung Precision Machinery, which displayed an automatic gun-barrel cleaning device; C-Lab, which showcased an underwater exploration robot; SonarTech, which presented a hull-mounted sonar system for mine countermeasure ships; and Baye Industry, which exhibited boats made from high-density polyethylene, or HDPE.
Jeong No-young, an executive director at C-Lab, said the company drew interest from visitors because it combined strong technology with price competitiveness.
A Susung Precision Machinery official also said the firm attracted considerable attention from military officials and defense and security representatives from around the world.
Jeong said South Korea's defense cooperation with the region has been expanding beyond aircraft following exports of the FA-50 light combat aircraft. He said recently developed Korean weapons systems could help upgrade Southeast Asian militaries' current capabilities and create opportunities for broader modernization.
He added that there have also been growing discussions involving the KF-21 fighter, ground equipment and naval combat systems.
Jeong said South Korea's defense exports have traditionally been led by large corporations, but broader participation by small and mid-sized firms is essential for sustained export growth.
He said the integrated Korea pavilion was designed to expand opportunities for smaller firms and increase indirect exports through partnerships with local companies, which could in turn help broaden supply chains.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 9:26 PM.