South Korea’s defense budget this year amounts to approximately USD 43 billion and, according to preliminary estimates, will be increased to around USD 46 billion next year. This reflects the government’s long-term goal to strengthen the domestic defense industry and its technological self-sufficiency. According to data from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, South Korea’s defense exports reached approximately USD 9.5 billion in 2024. Key priority areas include digitalization and automation, with substantial investments directed into artificial intelligence systems for command and control (C2), unmanned ground and aerial platforms (UAV/UGV), space and satellite capabilities, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, hypersonic missiles, and modern propulsion systems. The government also focuses on the production of critical components, defense-grade semiconductors, and strengthening the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in research and development. For Czech exporters, there are opportunities especially in supplying specialized technologies and subsystems such as sensors, radar modules, propulsion units, AI software, or electronic components for space and unmanned systems. The greatest potential for entering the Korean market lies through partnerships with local manufacturers, joint R&D projects, or technology transfers.

This year’s Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) was the largest in the history of the event, and according to the organizers, it was attended by a record 35 countries and 600 companies, which showcased their products in 2,800 booths. The theme this year was “AI-Powered K-Defense,” reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on the development of defense systems based on artificial intelligence, data connectivity, and autonomous technologies. Exhibitors presented a wide range of innovations – from unmanned aircraft and autonomous ground vehicles to intelligent battle-management systems, satellite technologies, and cyber-defense solutions. A key focus was the integration of AI into command, detection, and decision-making processes to increase the speed and accuracy of military responses. The exhibition also included demonstrations of advanced drones, space systems, and modernized weapons produced in South Korea. As part of an economic diplomacy project funded by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and implemented together with the CzechTrade office in Seoul, four Czech companies presented themselves at the Czech national pavilion – namely PBS Group, Ray Service a.s., ERA a.s., and Tescan a.s. In addition, products of Colt CZ Group were presented at a separate booth together with their local partner SNT Motiv.

Additional important information related to this topic can be found at the links below:

1. Seoul ADEX 2025: https://seouladex.com/en/public/index.php

2. Defense Acquisition Program Administration: https://www.dapa.go.kr/dapa_en/main.do  

3. Korea Defense Industry Association:  https://defense-korea.com/web/etc/kdia  

4. Databáze korejských obranných zakázek: https://www.d2b.go.kr/index.do *

*open the “Foreign Purchase” section at the bottom right

5. Korea Aerospace Industries Association: https://aerospace.or.kr/eng/main/main.php

Interested Czech companies can contact the Commercial Department of the Czech Embassy in Seoul at: seoul.commerce@mzv.gov.cz .

Jakub Kopecký, head of the commercial department of the Czech Embassy