Four major Korean defense companies have been included in Defense News' 2026 Top 100 Defense Companies for the second consecutive year, with Hanwha Aerospace rising to 16th place. The latest defense sales of the four companies and changes from the previous year's results are also listed.
According to the 2026 Top 100 Defense Companies released by the US publication Defense News, four major Korean defense companies, Hanwha Aerospace, LIG Nex1, Hyundai Rotem, and Korea Aerospace Industries, have been included in the ranking for the second consecutive year. Hanwha rose from 22nd place the previous year to 16th, with defense business sales of approximately $10.4 billion in 2023. Its defense business accounted for 20% of total sales.
LIG Nex1 moved up one place from 53rd the previous year to 52nd, with defense business sales of more than approximately $3,000,000,000 in 2023. Hyundai Rotem rose 6 places from the previous year to 61st, while Korea Aerospace Industries fell 8 places to 74th. US-based Lockheed Martin ranked first overall, followed by RTX and General Dynamics.