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The United States is increasingly looking to South Korea to help alleviate ammunition supply bottlenecks created by wars in the Middle East and Europe, potentially boosting Seoul's integration into the US defense industrial base. Analysts believe the US may struggle to replenish stockpiles quickly enough if conflicts in Iran and Ukraine continue, opening up opportunities for South Korea's defense industry to expand in the US market.

Defense science professor Jang Won-joon notes that the war with Iran and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have made Washington acutely aware of the shortcomings in its domestic defense production capacity. The US has spent $22.3 billion on ammunition in just four months of the Iran war, highlighting the need for allies to share the burden.

The US is expected to build defense production networks with allies, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia, to help close the supply gap. Experts say that South Korea's defense industry cooperation with the US could serve as a model for other allies, citing the US$150 billion "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" initiative proposed by South Korea.

Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea's leading defense company, is expanding its integration with the American defense industry by investing $2.2 billion over seven years to build a production hub for 155mm artillery shells in Arkansas. This move could give Hanwha an advantage in securing other American military contracts. Other South Korean manufacturers, such as LIG Defence & Aerospace and Hyundai Rotem, are also attracting global attention as they seek to expand their market share in interceptor missiles and main battle tanks, respectively.

While foreign companies face high barriers to entry in the US defense market, including "Buy American" procurement rules and strict tech-security regulations, South Korea's strategic location and existing defense ties make it a promising partner for the US to replenish its depleted stockpiles and strengthen the bilateral alliance.