Korean defense big 4 make global Top 100, led by Hanwha at No. 16

Four major defense companies have secured spots among the world’s top 100 defense companies, with Hanwha climbing six spots to No. 16 on sharply higher defense revenue. According to this year’s Top 100 ranking released by U.S. magazine Defense News on Monday (local time), Hanwha, LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A), formerly known as LIG Nex1, Hyundai Rotem and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) were all ranked on the list for a second consecutive year. The annual ranking is based on defense revenue generated in the previous year. Hanwha Group ranked 16th, with about $10.44 billion in defense revenue in 2025, up from $6.82 billion a year earlier, according to Defense News. Its defense revenue rose about 53 percent year-on-year, marking the largest increase among the four Korean companies in the ranking. The company moved up from 22nd in last year’s ranking, with defense revenue accounting for 20 percent of its total revenue of $52.60 billion in 2025. Hanwha Group has been expanding its presence beyond its established markets in Europe, while seeking a broader foothold in the United States.