The global small-caliber firearms manufacturer SNT Motiv is adding momentum to overseas marketing for Korea’s defense industry (K-Defense) through active participation in international exhibitions.

SNT Motiv participated in the international defense exhibition ‘WDS 2026’, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February 8 to 12. This biennial exhibition hosted more than 770 defense companies from 76 countries. Building on its track record and recognition from large-scale exports of rifle and machine gun series to the Middle Eastern market in the past, SNT Motiv actively promoted and conducted sales activities highlighting the technology and competitiveness of K-firearms.

At this exhibition, SNT Motiv showcased its low-risk pistol and low-risk ammunition, for which it signed a supply contract with the Korean National Police Agency late last year. The low-risk pistol is a 9 mm revolver firearm that replaces the existing .38 caliber revolver and can fire low-risk rounds, standard rounds, and blanks. The low-risk ammunition, developed in-house by SNT Motiv, uses a plastic projectile optimized for muzzle velocity, designed to avoid fatal injury while incapacitating the target. Its physical impact has been adjusted to about one-tenth that of standard rounds. The ammunition passed all inspections and tests last year and will be supplied to the National Police Agency starting this year. SNT Motiv views the low-risk pistol and low-risk ammunition as equipment aligned with the global trend of “maximum respect for human rights under minimal public authority” and expects demand to grow significantly. The company is therefore actively pursuing export marketing activities in the United States and the Middle East.

SNT Motiv also presented the K4 40 mm high-velocity automatic grenade launcher together with special tools for performance maintenance. The K4 high-velocity automatic grenade launcher has the drone response and long-range strike capabilities required in modern infantry warfare and is a representative heavy weapon whose reliability and combat performance have been verified through deployment with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and via overseas exports.

The STSM21 9 mm submachine gun, displayed alongside, is a submachine gun that achieved exports prior to domestic introduction. With a light weight of 2.7 kg and a short overall length of 490 mm, it offers excellent operability and versatility, allowing the use of various accessories tailored to mission environments, thereby maintaining a high level of user satisfaction.

The K16D 7.62 mm machine gun, a crew-served variant of the K16 machine gun, can be mounted on pickup trucks and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) operated by the Saudi military. In emergencies, the crew-served handle can be removed, allowing it to be used as an infantry weapon while providing a stable and sustained firing environment.

The company also exhibited the K13 submachine gun for special operations and the K13A1 rifle, an export variant upgraded with a forward bolt carrier. In addition, it displayed the latest firearms such as the K15 machine gun series, semi-automatic sniper rifles, and anti-materiel sniper rifles, as well as various small-caliber firearms under development, presenting a full lineup that drew significant attention from foreign military officials.

SNT Motiv also took part in ‘SHOT Show 2026’, the world’s largest firearms exhibition, held in Las Vegas, United States, in January. At this event, SNT Motiv showcased the export variants of the DP51 pistol and K2S rifle, previously introduced in the U.S. market, along with its latest firearms, thereby demonstrating the technology and design of K-firearms in the U.S. civilian firearms market. With its U.S. subsidiary SNT Defense having obtained sales and manufacturing licenses, the company is expected to accelerate full-scale local production and supply.

To strengthen its global technological competitiveness, SNT Motiv has been conducting various consultations to generate synergies with Colt in the United States and Heckler & Koch in Germany following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the ‘Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2025)’ last year.

In addition, since last year the company has been in ongoing discussions with UTM in the United Kingdom, a manufacturer of training ammunition, regarding sales and supply chain expansion. UTM training rounds are expected to become a safe and efficient alternative for tactical and individual firearms training currently conducted by the military.

An SNT Motiv official stated, “We are continuously investing in R&D to supply the small-caliber firearms demanded by the global market, and we are also making sustained efforts in convergence with new technologies,” adding, “As the impact of the war in the Middle East leads countries around the world to newly recognize the importance of national defense, we will carry out active sales activities to further contribute to the reputation of ‘K-Defense’, which is gaining prominence in the global market.”

Popular News