Why China’s loss could be South Korea’s gain as Southeast Asia seeks new weapons suppliers

China has been a major arms supplier to Southeast Asia, but geopolitical frictions have spurred countries in the region to shop elsewhere for weapons.

According to analysts, Beijing’s loss could be Seoul’s gain. South Korea has become one of China’s top competitors in arms sales, rapidly expanding its defence industry foothold in Southeast Asia by offering high-quality, affordable weapons systems.

This trend has been amplified by rising military tensions in the South China Sea, where China and four Southeast Asian nations – the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei – have overlapping territorial claims.

Observers said that in the face of growing military threats from Beijing, Southeast Asian countries would increasingly turn to South Korean arms to modernise their militaries and reduce reliance on Chinese equipment.

The Philippines, which has frequently clashed with China over South China Sea claims, is among the region’s fastest-growing markets for South Korean weapons.

Data released by the Philippine defence department last month showed Manila was considering buying 12 new South Korean FA-50 Fighting Eagle Block 20 supersonic combat aircraft for 40 billion Philippine pesos (US$690 million).

The deal is expected to be signed by the middle of this year and would double the Philippine Air Force’s export-variant FA-50PH fleet, which currently includes 12 of the planes bought in the early 2010s.