Main headlines from this issue

Korea releases component list with “offset potential”

DAPA, the agency responsible for South Korea’s military procurements, has published this year’s “prospective list” of technologies it would like OEMs to purchase from Korean suppliers as a form of offset.

Japan: OEMs nudged towards local partners

Japan may not yet be ready to systematise industrial participation, but defence contractors are still expected to partner with local suppliers to secure contracts in the country, industry experts tell CTO.

Korea offers to buy back Polish robotics

Defense Korea partnered with Polish state-owned research institute Łukasiewicz–PIAP to showcase robotics technology and optical nano-sensor explosive detectors at MSPO 2023 (5–8 September).

Hanwha pitches production centre for Canadian submarines

Hanwha Ocean has announced that it will build its first submarine production centres in North America as part of its efforts to secure a contract for up to 12 Canadian submarines, including MRO.

Raytheon rolls out offset for first-ever export of LTAMDS

Poland’s order for 12 Lower Tier Air and Missile Defence Sensors (LTAMDS) will see Raytheon partner with five Polish industry partners to “components and subassemblies,” a spokesperson tells CTO. The collaboration will build on the industrial participation projects from Phase I of the WISŁA programme.

Thailand to review countertrade policy

Thailand’s new defence minister, Sutin Klungsang, intends to “reform” the country’s arms procurement policy to make countertrade policies more “flexible,” the official told Thai outlets. Any weapons procurement plan will have to be accompanied by a deal to import agricultural products from Thailand.