LIG Defense&Aerospace (hereafter LIG D&A) is targeting the U.S.—the world’s largest defense market—with its 2.75-inch guided rocket Poniard, the Close-In Weapon System CIWS-II, and a suicide unmanned surface vessel. LIG D&A said on April 21 it will participate in Sea Air Space 2026 (SAS 2026), the maritime-focused defense expo in Maryland, running April 20–22 (local time).
The event is the largest maritime defense show in the United States, and LIG D&A plans to use it as a launchpad for full-scale marketing efforts in the American market.
To maximize marine-solution synergy, LIG D&A is sharing a joint booth with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The company placed the 2.75-inch guided rocket Poniard at the front of the exhibit as the centerpiece of its U.S. push.
Poniard demonstrated its performance during the final Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) launch in July 2024 near Hawaii, where all six rounds struck their targets.
Notably, across the five-year FCT program that began in 2019, the system recorded a flawless 100% hit rate with zero misses—strengthening its prospects for entry into the U.S. market. Observers view this as the first demonstration of the unmanned-operations-based future operational concept jointly developed by the U.S. and Republic of Korea navies.
At the show, LIG D&A will also present the 130mm ship-to-ship guided rocket Biryong, the CIWS-II final ship-defense system, and the suicide unmanned surface vessel—platforms gaining attention as asymmetric warfare assets in modern conflicts.
LIG D&A says it aims to showcase capabilities beyond individual weapon systems, positioning itself as a comprehensive defense solutions provider that supports a range of operational concepts.
To establish a foothold in the U.S., LIG D&A set up a local subsidiary, LIG Defense U.S. Inc., earlier this year. The unit will serve as a hub for strengthening local partnerships and facilitating technology exchanges.
The subsidiary is expected to become a base for building a U.S. supply chain by securing sales hubs and production facilities.
An LIG D&A spokesperson said, "Building on the guided-weapon technology already proven with Cheongung-II, we will accelerate our entry into the U.S. market. We will work to contribute to the ROK-U.S. alliance as a trusted partner and to become a leading exporter of K-defense."
