Defense minister visits key defense manufacturer to assess Iran war's impact on arms industry

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Friday visited a key manufacturer of precision-guided missiles and other weapons to assess the impact of the war in the Middle East on the domestic arms industry, his office said, amid growing uncertainties over oil prices and the global supply chain.

During his visit to LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A) Co., Ahn was briefed on the impact of the war on the arms industry supply chain and received feedback on possible measures to stabilize it amid the prolonged crisis, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

"Uncertainties over global oil price and supply chains are growing due to the impact of the war in the Middle East," Ahn said, underscoring the need for the government, companies and relevant institutions to share information and seek joint measures.

"The arms industry is the bastion of national security and core driving force for growth," he said, urging a thorough response to the smallest issues regarding supply chains and pledging government-wide support to maintain the arms industry supply chain in a stable manner.

LIG D&A is the manufacturer of the Cheongung II midrange surface-to-air missile system, known to have successfully intercepted Iranian missiles in the United Arab Emirates.

Korea seeks to become the world's fourth-largest defense exporter by 2030.

Yonhap