News Archive — Page 8

The French Army is evaluating the K239 Chunmoo as a temporary long-range strike solution while developing its own FLP-T system (not expected before 2030). French think tank IFRI recommended the Chunmoo over alternatives including HIMARS. A French parliamentary committee report earlier called buying HIMARS geopolitically "risky" and pointed to the industrial cooperation on systems and ammunition that the Korean system offered Poland.

Hanwha Aerospace broke ground on its first European production site, the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) Europe, in Petrești, Romania. The facility will initially produce K9 howitzers and K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, with potential to expand to infantry fighting vehicles, long-range precision strike systems and unmanned ground vehicles.

Hanwha Aerospace signed an undisclosed defense contract with the Saudi Ministry of Defense during the World Defense Show 2026, one of 28 contracts signed at the event. The deal was signed by the Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 defense localization goals.

Hanwha Aerospace announced the first export sale of its Tigon 6x6 armored personnel carrier during the World Defense Show 2026, marking the platform's entry into the international market. The buyer was not disclosed.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, LIG Nex1, STX Engine, and ten other Korean defense companies signed a joint MOU with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment to establish a local Korean defense supply chain. The agreement aims to build manufacturing and sustainment infrastructure in the Kingdom.

The Korea Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Saudi Arabia's Defense Research and Development Authority (DRDA) signed a memorandum of understanding on defense R&D cooperation during Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek's visit to the WDS 2026.

Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a joint development MOU for air-launched weapons at the WDS 2026, targeting long-range air-to-air missiles and supersonic air-to-surface missiles for the KF-21 Boramae and FA-50 platforms.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries pitched its 6,500-ton HDF-6000 export frigate for Saudi Arabia's next-generation surface combatant program at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh. The frigate is capable of ballistic missile defense, deep-strike operations, and multi-domain warfare, developed using experience from ROK Navy Sejong-class and Jeongjo-class destroyers. HD HHI signed an MOU with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and 12 Korean partner firms to develop a local supply chain supporting Saudi localization requirements.

Honeywell Aerospace and LIG Nex1 established a framework agreement to explore collaboration on unmanned aerial vehicle and defense technologies. The partnership aims to combine Honeywell's propulsion, navigation, and sensor expertise with LIG Nex1's guided munitions and defense systems capabilities for next-generation autonomous platforms.

Norway selected Hanwha's K239 Chunmoo over the US HIMARS system in a NOK 19 billion (~$2 billion) deal for 16 launchers and missiles with range up to 500 km. The selection over a US system is a major validation of Korean MLRS technology.

South Korea began exporting the domestically developed DV27K 1,500hp diesel engine, ending dependence on foreign powerplants for K2 tank exports. HD Hyundai secured contracts to supply 116 engines for Poland's second batch of K2s and to be the sole engine provider for Turkey's Altay main battle tank. This gives Seoul full authority over armored vehicle exports without requiring third-party clearance.

U.S. autonomous systems maker Shield AI announced that its V-BAT vertical takeoff drone will be armed with LIG Nex1's guided missile system, following a contract commemoration event held at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The integration pairs Shield AI's autonomous VTOL capability with LIG Nex1's precision strike munitions, marking a significant cross-border defense technology partnership.

South Korea's defense industry posted record operating profit exceeding 3 trillion won for the first time in 2024, reaching 3.6 trillion won across 83 firms, driven by the ongoing export boom. FnGuide projects combined operating profit at the Big Four defense firms (Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, KAI, LIG Nex1) of 5.2 trillion won, nearly double their 2.6 trillion won in 2024.

Romania's Ministry of Defence allocated a EUR 6.5 billion budget and began active negotiations with Hyundai Rotem for 216 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks. Hyundai Rotem reportedly offered the most open technology transfer proposal among competing bidders. A contract is anticipated in H2 2026.

Morocco is evaluating the acquisition of up to 400 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks from South Korea, which would make it the first African operator of the platform. The evaluation follows a ministerial-level visit to Seoul in April 2025 and includes assessments of KM-SAM, K9, and KSS-III submarine systems.

The KF-21 Boramae conducted its final test flight on January 12, 2026, concluding a flight test program spanning 1,600 sorties over 42 months. DAPA is set to finalize the development program in the first half of 2026.

Hanwha Aerospace signed a KRW 5.6 trillion (~$4.1 billion) third execution contract with Poland for Chunmoo guided missiles (CGR-080). The missiles will be produced at a dedicated facility in Poland through a Korea-Poland joint venture, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2030; Poland fields the Chunmoo under its Homar-K program.

LIG Nex1 won a KRW 1.56 trillion (~$1.1B) DAPA contract to develop the EW Block I electronic warfare aircraft system, enhancing the ROKAF's electronic warfare capabilities, with development due to be completed by June 2034.

Hanwha Systems won a contract from Boeing for the Eagle Large Area Display for F-15K and F-15EX fighters, marking the company's first export of digital avionics equipment and its first US Air Force-related contract.

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense announced plans to develop 500,000 military drones alongside its three-axis defense system as part of future warfare capability enhancement. The plan, relying on artificial intelligence and advanced technology, was presented on December 18 in the ministry's 2026 business plan briefing chaired by President Lee Jae Myung.

KAI accelerated FA-50M Block 20 deliveries to the Royal Malaysian Air Force, increasing from the originally planned four to six aircraft arriving by end of 2026. The remaining 12 of the 18-unit order will follow from 2027. A second-phase order of 18 additional FA-50M is under consideration by Malaysia's Ministry of Defence.

Poland's 16th Mechanized Division announced the handover of the final 12 K9 howitzers to its 1st Masurian Artillery Brigade, completing all 212 units under the first executive contract signed in August 2022. Poland has shifted focus to the second executive contract for 152 additional K9s, including 146 K9PL howitzers to be delivered from 2026 onward.

Peru signed a strategic framework agreement with Hyundai Rotem for 54 K2 Black Panther tanks and 141 K808 armored personnel carriers, with Korean media estimating the value at more than 2 trillion won (~$1.3 billion). This marks the first deployment of the K2 in Latin America and the largest ground equipment sale in the region. The program involves cooperation between Hyundai Rotem and Peru's state-owned Army Weapons and Ammunition Factory (FAME), with implementing contracts expected to be finalized in 2026.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a contract with the Peruvian Navy to jointly develop next-generation submarines — the company's first-ever submarine export deal. The basic design phase began in January 2026 for an 11-month period. This is separate from the existing 4-vessel surface combatant project (frigate, patrol vessel, landing craft) worth 640 billion won with Peru.

Korean Air rolled out the first KUS-FS medium-altitude reconnaissance UAV, with an initial contract for 12 aircraft and potential fleet expansion to 100. Service entry is targeted for September 2026, marking Korea's push into indigenous military drone platforms.

Korea's first large jet-powered stealth drone, the LOWUS (Low Observable Wingman UAV System) collaborative combat aircraft, was delivered for ground testing ahead of its maiden flight scheduled for 2026. The drone is designed to operate alongside manned fighters like the KF-21.

Hanwha Aerospace signed its third contract with Norway for 24 additional K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers, expanding the Norwegian Army's fleet to 52 units. Deliveries are expected by 2027. Norway has become one of Hanwha's deepest European partners, and Hanwha said the deal opens opportunities for future exports including the Chunmoo rocket system.

Hyundai Rotem and Israel's Rafael signed a teaming agreement at MSPO 2025 in Poland to integrate the Trophy active protection system onto the K2 Black Panther tank. The deal covers integration, production, marketing, and life-cycle support. Trophy is already proven on the Merkava, Abrams, Leopard 2, and Challenger tanks. This will be the first APS integration on a Korean MBT.

Hanwha announced a $5 billion investment in its Philadelphia shipyard (acquired in 2024) to add two docks and three quays, aiming to build LNG carriers, naval modules and, in the long term, naval vessels. Separately, in March 2026 Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha Philly Shipyard won their first US Navy subcontract, from Vard Marine, for market survey and concept design work under the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program.

Hanwha Systems rolled out the first mass-produced AESA radar for the KF-21 Boramae fighter at its Yongin R&D Center, featuring approximately 1,000 T/R modules. The radar is a critical indigenous component of Korea's 4.5-generation fighter.