LIG D&A Targets U.S. Defense Market with Poniard Rocket at Sea Air Space 2026

[Korea Financial Times reporter Shin Hye-joo] LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) is pressing into the U.S. defense market with a portfolio that includes its 2.75‑inch guided rocket Poniard, the CIWS‑II close‑in weapon system, and suicide unmanned surface vessels.

LIG D&A said on April 21 that it will exhibit at Sea Air Space 2026 (SAS 2026), the maritime‑focused defense expo in Maryland, scheduled for April 20–22 (local time).

The expo is the largest maritime defense event in the United States. LIG D&A plans to use the show as a springboard for a full‑scale marketing push into the U.S. market.
To maximize maritime‑solution synergies, LIG D&A is sharing a booth with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and has positioned the 2.75‑inch guided rocket Poniard at the front of its exhibit.

In July 2024, during Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) off Hawaii, Poniard struck its targets in all six rounds of the final test firings, demonstrating its performance.

Over the five‑year FCT program that began in 2019, the system logged a flawless 100% hit rate, reinforcing its prospects in the U.S. market. Observers say the program represents the first practical demonstration of an unmanned‑enabled future operations concept jointly developed by the South Korean and U.S. navies.

At the show, LIG D&A will also display the 130mm ship‑to‑ship guided rocket Biryeong, the CIWS‑II terminal ship‑defense system, and suicide unmanned surface vessels — platforms increasingly valued as asymmetric capabilities in modern conflict.

LIG D&A says it will present itself as an integrated defense solutions provider, showcasing concepts of employment that go beyond individual weapon systems.

Earlier this year, the company established a U.S. subsidiary, LIG Defense U.S. Inc., to serve as a foothold in the American market. The subsidiary is intended to act as a hub for strengthening local partnerships and facilitating technology exchange.

The company expects the subsidiary to become a base for building a U.S. supply chain through future sales hubs and production facilities.

A LIG D&A official said, \"We will accelerate our entry into the U.S. market based on the guided‑weapon technology already proven by Cheongung‑II. We will work to be a trusted partner to the United States, support the ROK‑U.S. alliance, and lead K‑defense exports.\"

Shin Hye‑joo, Korea Financial Times reporter hjs0509@fntimes.com