Why India Should Look to South Korea’s Growing Defence Export Portfolio for Naval Missiles and Air‑Defence Systems

When you think of India’s defence procurement these days, the first names that pop up are often the United States, France or Russia. Yet, over the last few years, South Korea has quietly been building a respectable export portfolio that could fit neatly into India’s own maritime and aerial security plans.

South Korea’s defence industry is no longer just a domestic supplier. Companies such as LIG Nex1, Hanwha Defense and KAI are pushing out a range of missiles – from the Haeseong‑II anti‑ship missile to the K‑SAM air‑defence system – that have found buyers in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The key point here is that these systems are not only proven in combat‑like environments; they’re also built on a modular architecture that makes integration with foreign platforms relatively straightforward.

India, on its part, has been looking to upgrade its navy’s strike capability. The existing fleet of BrahMos missiles does the job, but the navy wants a layered approach: a shorter‑range anti‑ship missile for littoral combat, plus a medium‑range system that can also be used in a land‑attack role. The Haeseong‑II, with its 150‑km range and sea‑skimming profile, checks a lot of those boxes. Moreover, the missile’s guidance suite – a mix of inertial navigation, satellite aid and active radar homing – offers a level of redundancy that appeals to Indian planners wary of jamming and electronic warfare.

On the air‑defence front, the K‑SAM (or “K‑QRS”) is a surface‑to‑air solution that can engage targets out to 40 km and up to 15 km altitude. It’s designed to protect naval vessels and coastal installations alike. India’s Eastern Naval Command, which has been looking for a reliable point‑defence system to complement the already‑fielded Barak‑8, could see the K‑SAM as a cost‑effective supplement.

What makes the prospect even more interesting is the willingness of South Korean firms to discuss technology transfer and joint‑venture production. Delhi has repeatedly emphasized the need for “Make‑in‑India” models, and Hanwha’s recent deal with the Indian Ministry of Defence for the K9 self‑propelled howitzer shows that both sides can navigate the red‑tape. A similar arrangement for missiles – perhaps a co‑production line at a South‑Korean‑Indian facility – would not only lower the unit cost but also help build a skilled Indian workforce in missile technology.

There are, of course, hurdles. Export controls, differing standards for missile testing and the need for interoperability with Indian platforms such as the INS Kolkata class destroyers all require careful negotiation. Yet, these are the same kind of challenges that have been overcome in past collaborations with Israel and Russia, so they’re not insurmountable.

In short, as India looks to broaden its strategic options in the Indo‑Pacific, South Korea offers a ready‑made suite of naval and air‑defence products that fit the bill. A partnership could deliver modern, flexible weapons while also deepening the Indo‑Korean defence relationship – a win‑win that seems worth a closer look.