Archive · 17 Aug 2025
S. Korean Defense Firms Report Record H1 Earnings
Big companies in South Korea that make weapons made a lot more money in the first half of this year.
They sold a lot of weapons to other countries.
The five biggest companies made a total of 2.3 trillion won in profit, which is much more than last year.
They sold almost twice as much stuff.
One company, Hanwha Aerospace, did especially well.
This is because countries around the world are buying more weapons because of problems in different places.
Experts think these companies will keep doing well because they have many orders to fill.
South Korean defense firms reported record earnings in H1 due to massive arms export deals.
Combined operating profits for five firms reached 2.3 trillion won, up 161.2% year-on-year.
Combined sales nearly doubled to 19.2 trillion won compared to the previous year.
Hanwha Aerospace saw a record profit of 1.43 trillion won, with sales over 11 trillion won.
Industry attributed the success to strong overseas demand amid global geopolitical tensions.
- Who
- Major South Korean defense firms, including Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1.
- What
- South Korean defense firms reported record earnings in H1 due to arms export deals.
- When
- The first half of the year (January-June)
- Where
- South Korea
- Why
- Strong overseas demand and increased exports amid geopolitical risks.
- Combined Operating Profit (H1)
- 2.3 trillion won
- YoY Profit Growth
- 161.2%
- Combined Sales (H1)
- 19.2 trillion won
- Hanwha Aerospace Profit
- 1.43 trillion won
- Hanwha Aerospace Sales
- 11.8 trillion won
- Industry Outlook
- Positive for the second half