LIG Defense & Aerospace's exhibition booth at the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace 2026 defense exhibition in Bucharest, Romania. Courtesy of LIG Defense & Aerospace

As European countries race to strengthen their air defenses amid mounting security fears, Korean arms maker LIG Defense & Aerospace is using a weapons exhibition in Romania to press its case as a new supplier to NATO allies.

LIG Defense & Aerospace said Thursday that it is participating in Black Sea Defense and Aerospace (BSDA) 2026, one of Eastern Europe’s largest defense exhibitions, held in Bucharest from Wednesday through Friday, where the company is showcasing a broad lineup of missile and air defense systems aimed at expanding its foothold across Europe.

The company said it plans to market Korea’s guided missile technologies and integrated air defense systems to NATO and European Union member states, building on its previous export deal with Romania for the Chiron portable surface-to-air missile system, known in Korea as Shingung.

That agreement, signed in November 2023, marked the first entry of a Korean air defense system into the NATO market.

LIG Defense & Aerospace said the Romanian project is being successfully completed this month, a milestone the company described as proof of Korea’s growing credibility in the global defense industry.

At the exhibition, the company is displaying a range of systems designed for land, sea and air operations, including the K-SAAM naval missile system, the M-SAM-II medium-range air defense system and the long-range L-SAM interceptor.

The display also includes anti-drone systems, laser launchers, anti-tank guided weapons, and unmanned naval platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles and surface vessels.

LIG Defense & Aerospace said it is also expanding its European operations beyond weapons sales. The company opened a Germany office in September and said it is reviewing the possibility of establishing a local office in Romania if business opportunities there continue to grow.

A company official said LIG Defense & Aerospace aims to become a long-term partner in NATO defense through advanced technologies spanning land, sea, space and cyber operations.

Source: Korea Times News