SEOUL / NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., — April 8, 2026 : South Korean defense manufacturer LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A), formerly known as LIG Nex1, has established a new United States subsidiary, LIG Defense U.S. Inc., as part of its strategy to expand engagement with the American defense industrial base. The announcement was made on April 8, 2026, ahead of the company’s first participation in the Sea-Air-Space Exposition, scheduled to take place in National Harbor, Maryland.
The newly formed entity will function as LIG D&A’s primary interface with U.S. government agencies and defense industry partners. According to company officials, the subsidiary is intended to support partnership development, program alignment, and potential future investment in domestic manufacturing. Options for establishing U.S.-based production capabilities are currently under review, with a focus on improving supply chain resilience and expanding surge production capacity.
Leadership and Organizational Structure
Kim Yong-seob, also known as YS Kim and currently head of LIG D&A’s U.S. office, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of LIG Defense U.S. Inc. In a statement, he said the establishment of the subsidiary reflects the company’s long-term intent to integrate with U.S. defense priorities and industrial requirements.
“Standing up LIG Defense U.S. reflects our commitment to becoming a genuine partner to the American defense industrial base – present, invested, and aligned with U.S. operational priorities for the long term,” Kim stated.
The company has also appointed Rich Brown, a retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, as senior advisor to support its U.S. expansion. Brown previously served as Commander of Naval Surface Forces and Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, where he oversaw fleet readiness, training, and operational performance, as well as large-scale organizational reforms.
Brown stated that the timing of the subsidiary’s establishment aligns with U.S. efforts to expand access to cost-effective and combat-proven capabilities, particularly those supported by domestic production investments.
Sea-Air-Space 2026 Participation
LIG D&A will make its debut appearance at Sea-Air-Space 2026 at booth #425. The company plans to exhibit scale models of its Poniard 2.75-inch (70 mm) low-cost guided rocket and the Poniard Naval Launcher System (NLS).
The systems are positioned for potential use in distributed maritime operations, including integration on unmanned surface vessels and smaller naval platforms where cost, scalability, and operational flexibility are key considerations.
Poniard Guided Rocket System
The Poniard rocket, also known as K-LOGIR, was developed in cooperation with South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development. It is currently operated by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps as part of a mobile coastal defense system.
The system uses an imaging infrared seeker and is designed to engage multiple fast-moving maritime targets. It features a “fire-and-forget” capability and an operational range of approximately 8 kilometers. With an estimated unit cost of around $31,000, the system is positioned as a lower-cost alternative for countering maritime swarm threats and protecting high-value assets.
LIG D&A has been pursuing entry into the U.S. market with the Poniard system since 2018, focusing on alignment with U.S. Navy operational requirements.
U.S. Navy Testing and Certification
The company’s engagement with U.S. naval stakeholders includes participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2024 (RIMPAC 2024). During the exercise, six Poniard rockets were launched from a Textron Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Comparative Testing Program.
All targets were successfully engaged during the test, resulting in official U.S. certification for the system. According to the company, this marks the first—and to date the only—South Korean guided munition to receive this designation.
Hyung Shik Paik, Executive Vice President of LIG D&A, stated that the company has conducted multiple testing events with U.S. Navy partners and views the establishment of a U.S.-based entity as a necessary step toward deeper cooperation.
Corporate Transition and Background
LIG D&A formally rebranded from LIG Nex1 on March 31, 2026, marking the company’s 50th anniversary since its founding in 1976 as Goldstar Precision. The name change reflects an expansion beyond its traditional defense portfolio into aerospace.
The company’s activities include precision-guided munitions, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, command and control technologies, communications, avionics, and electronic warfare.
Strategic Context
The establishment of LIG Defense U.S. Inc. and the company’s participation in Sea-Air-Space 2026 align with broader U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Navy efforts to expand industrial capacity and diversify supply sources for munitions and related systems.
Through the new subsidiary, LIG D&A aims to support joint partnerships, technology exchange, and localized production, positioning itself for long-term participation in the U.S. defense market while aligning with evolving operational concepts such as distributed maritime operations and increased munitions capacity.
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