South Korea’s LIG D&A, Germany’s Rheinmetall to boost Europe’s air defence capabilities

South Korean defence firm LIG Nex1 Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) Co. has announced a strategic partnership with Germany’s Rheinmetall to jointly supply air defence systems to the European market, the company said on 16 June.

The agreement was signed during Eurosatory 2026, a major defence exhibition that opened on 15 June in France for a five-day run, Caliber.Az reports via South Korean media.

Under the deal, the two companies plan to establish a joint venture and expand cooperation in research and development, marketing, business development, and localised production.

The partnership will focus on localising, further developing, and marketing LIG D&A’s medium- and long-range air defence missile systems in Europe, while integrating them with Rheinmetall’s capabilities in very short-range air defence systems.

“By combining our advanced, combat-proven missile technologies with Rheinmetall's extensive network and expertise, we will provide highly competitive and interoperable solutions for the European market, contributing to strengthening Europe's integrated air and missile defense capabilities,” LIG D&A Chief Executive Officer Shin Ick-hyun said in a statement.

LIG Nex1, the developer of the Cheongung medium-range air defence system, has been steadily expanding its footprint in Europe. The company recently opened a European office in Munich as part of its broader push into the region’s growing defence market.

By Vugar Khalilov