\n K-defense’s rising stature as it targets Middle East and European markets simultaneously amid global security crises and de-globalization [Image=Manus AI]
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOn the 28th, Seung-han Han, an analyst at SK Securities, recommended an “Overweight” position on the defense sector for the second half of 2026 in a research note. He argued that a global shift toward self-reliant national defense will drive structural growth in South Korea’s defense industry.<\/p>\n
Han says that since the start of a potential second Trump administration, the U.S. has been moving to expand defense spending while geopolitical risks tied to Russia, China and Iran have deepened, accelerating a trend toward de-globalization. He noted that, historically, globalization was a short-lived exception tied to an era of hegemonic stability; the current environment prioritizes security and resilient supply chains.<\/p>\n
Washington is reportedly pursuing a roughly 43% increase in its 2027 defense budget over this year\u2019s level, targeting about $1.5 trillion (approximately 2,000 trillion KRW).<\/p>\n
Following the Iran conflict that began in the first half of this year, demand across the Middle East for air- and missile-defense systems to counter ballistic missiles and drones surged. With global interceptor-missile production unable to keep pace, South Korean firms have stood out for faster delivery and competitive pricing, making them an attractive option for regional buyers.<\/p>\n
Han assessed that major U.S. and European primes are facing extended lead times because of production constraints, while South Korean companies are meeting Middle Eastern demand for air-defense and interceptor systems through lower prices and quicker production turnarounds.<\/p>\n
That dynamic increases the likelihood of additional export contracts for Korean systems such as Cheongung II and LSAM. The report urges treating progress in Iran cease-fire talks not as a sign of industry contraction but as an opening for significant budget execution and procurement.<\/p>\n
He added that unless geopolitical risks are fully resolved, any cease-fire in the region will likely trigger active budget outlays for rearmament. Short-term investor pessimism after a cease-fire could therefore present buying opportunities at lower prices.<\/p>\n
Indeed, since 2018 global defense spending has outpaced GDP growth, signaling a structural shift that is unlikely to reverse in the near term.<\/p>\n
As European demand for conventional weapons converges with Middle Eastern demand for advanced air-defense systems, K-defense is strengthening its earnings base. Rapid budget execution in the Middle East and clearer export prospects for Cheongung II and LSAM should provide added share-price momentum for domestic defense contractors, Han emphasized.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Analyst Han Seung-han recommends ‘Overweight’ for the defense industry by 2026, citing global security trends and geopolitical risks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/cdn-union.tenbizt.com\/contents\/crawler-dev\/thumbnail\/2026\/05\/CP-2023-0293\/thumb-407a4298-f2a6-4305-b9bc-f855e56bf307.jpg","footnotes":""},"categories":[278104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-262471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-military"],"yoast_head":"\n
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