South Korea Aims to be 4th Largest Arms Exporter by 2030, Plans K2 Tank Deployment
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back called for efforts to boost arms exports as South Korea aims to be the fourth-largest global defense exporter by 2030, targeting $20 billion in exports. South Korea's arms exports exceeded $15 billion in 2025, following a record $17.3 billion in 2022.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to replace K1 tanks with K2 tanks for the Marine Corps to enhance operational independence. The review process for this project is expected to be finalized in the first half of the year.
Additionally, the Joint Chiefs of Staff will accelerate the conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) this year. The DAPA's budget for 2025 is set at 19.9653 trillion won, focusing on technology innovation and strengthening defense exports.
