Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Poland showcases dual-use technologies at MSPO 2025
Visitors queue for the 2025 International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO), Europe’s largest defense trade show, in Kielce, Poland, Sept. 2. Korea Times photo by Bahk Eun-ji
By Bahk Eun-ji
Korean defense firms set sights on Europe
KIELCE, Poland — In the country that produced Marie Curie, a figure synonymous with scientific innovation, Poland is once again presenting itself as a center of technology. This time, however, it was not a laboratory, but the exhibition halls of Kielce that hosted the 2025 International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO), which was themed “Dual Use and Security.”
The four-day event from Sept. 2 to 5 brought together more than 800 companies from 40 countries. As well as showcasing new defense equipment, the exhibition highlighted the growing role of dual-use technology, as defense technology is now directly tied to civilian applications and industrial growth.
At the exhibition, WB Group, Poland’s leading private defense company, displayed the largest presence. Founded in 1987, it has grown into a group comprising over 20 firms. At MSPO, the group displayed its battlefield management platforms, tactical radios, unmanned aerial vehicles and the Warmate loitering munition, which has been used in Ukraine.
“Without communication, there is no such thing as a military — just a single soldier. Our systems are designed to serve as the nervous system of the battlefield, integrating radios, sensors and command posts into one network,” Remigiusz Wilk, director of communications at WB Group, said during his presentation. He compared the system to consumer technology, adding: “This is like a smartphone for every vehicle — different applications can be plugged in, from artillery to medical evacuation. It is this integration that defines our technology.”
Polish startup Quantum Quest also attracted attention with its demonstration of artificial intelligence (AI) software for drone autonomy. The company showed how synthetic data is used to train drones to detect and track targets at long range.
Visitors tour the exhibition hall of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), Poland’s state-owned defense group, at the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Sept. 2. Korea Times photo by Bahk Eun-ji
“I don’t want to compete with drone manufacturers. We provide the brain, not the body — our autopilot systems allow drones to operate autonomously,” said Tomasz Korzeniowski, founder and CEO of Quantum Quest. “Our innovation lies in the software. By using synthetic data, we can train AI to detect and track targets invisible to the human eye. This makes autonomy affordable and scalable for both military and civilian use.”
The Polish textile company UNIFEQ showcased new ballistic fabrics and uniforms, developed partly using materials imported from Korea. Its executives explained that the same technology would be used for a planned civilian brand, making military-grade durability available to the commercial market.
The exhibition halls were packed with visitors. Polish officers walked alongside NATO delegates while journalists and industry buyers filled the stands, examining prototypes and conducting interviews. The presence of foreign delegations emphasized how Poland has become a focal point for NATO’s eastern flank.
Korean companies' growing presence
Korean defense firms also made their presence felt. Hyundai Rotem presented the K2PL main battle tank, equipped with an active protection system and counter-drone jammers. Company executives emphasized that the model had been designed for production in Poland and could contribute to replacing more than 1,000 tanks across the region.
Hanwha Ocean presented its proposal for the ORKA submarine program, offering technology transfer, local training and a $100 million investment fund to support Poland’s naval sector.
Hanwha Systems showcased a variety of products, including the Cheongwang laser air defense weapon, next-generation multifunction radar, small SAR satellites and unmanned surface vessels.
Remigiusz Wilk, director of communications at WB Group, gives a presentation at the company’s booth at the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland. Korea Times photo by Bahk Eun-ji
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) draw attention to the success of the FA-50 light combat aircraft already in service with the Polish military, and presented the “PL version” of its KF-21 fighter jet. “The KF-21 is designed to bridge the operational gap between the F-16 and the F-35,” a KAI official said. “We are discussing options that would strengthen Poland’s air power and support NATO’s combined operations.”
The Korean stands remained busy throughout the exhibition. Polish visitors stopped to study scale models of tanks and aircraft, while the local media covered the demonstrations. Company representatives emphasized their commitment to localizing production and partnering with Polish engineers, which aligns with Warsaw’s preference for joint development over simple purchases.
Hanwha Aerospace, which has already formed a joint venture with WB Group to produce CGR-080 guided rockets for the Homar-K system, gave a brief presentation as the deal had already received widespread coverage.
The exhibition highlighted Poland’s transition from primarily buying defense systems to producing and jointly developing them. NATO officials noted that Poland’s approach aligns with the alliance’s broader objective of diversifying production and bolstering cooperation across Europe.