The last war isn't the next one; Asia and US defense fundamentals remain strong

Defense restocking accelerates; new threats drive demand

Defense demand remains strong globally as depleted inventories, shifting threats and years of underinvestment drive a multiyear restocking cycle. Ron Epstein discusses record US defense outlays, rising production needs and why recent weakness in defense stocks may be disconnected from the fundamentals. KJ Hwang highlights Korea's expansion beyond the land systems that drove early exports. Korean companies are expending into air defense, low-cost interceptors and counter-drone technologies, with the Gulf emerging as a potential source of new orders. Together they also discuss how militaries are balancing inexpensive drones with sophisticated missile threats, and why lessons from today's conflicts may not necessarily translate to how the next wars may be fought. 

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