Korea Foreign Defence Cooperation

Hanwha wins fighter jet radar antenna deal from Leonardo​

Hanwha Systems to supply AESA antenna units to Leonardo from September 2025; Leonardo to produce AESA radars from 2026


AESA radar for the KF-21, South Korea’s homegrown supersonic fighter jet, under development by Hanwha Systems (File photo, captured from Hanwha System website)

South Korean aerospace and defense contractor Hanwha Systems Co. is set to supply antennas for active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars to Italy’s Leonardo SpA in Korea's first deal to export the advanced radar component.

Hanwha Systems said on Monday it signed a contract with the Italian state-controlled defense and aerospace group to provide AESA antenna units (AAUs) for light combat aircraft without unveiling financial details. The two companies are poised to jointly develop AESA radars for light warplanes to be exported.

“We aim to enhance the partnership with Leonardo and develop various AESA radar’s core parts and complete products to expand export markets to various regions such as Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and South America,” said Hanwha Systems CEO Eoh Sungchul in a statement.

The unit of South Korea’s chemicals-to-defense conglomerate Hanwha Group is scheduled to develop and manufacture AAUs, which make up more than 50% of the AESA radar production costs, to supply them to Leonardo from September 2025.

Hanwha Systems plans to create the antenna units for Leonardo based on the technology of the AESA radar for the KF-21, South Korea’s homegrown supersonic fighter jet, developed under the supervision of the Agency for Defense Development.


RADARS FOR FUTURE WARPLANES

The Italian company is poised to manufacture and integrate signal processing devices, power supplies and cooling devices to produce finished AESA radars for light fighter jets from 2026.

AESA radars are key for future fighter jets to carry out various missions in modern air warfare such as detection and tracking of aerial and ground targets. About 1,000 small transmission and reception integrated modules mounted on the front of the radar enable fighter jets to detect large areas and engage with multiple targets simultaneously.

Fabrizio Boggiani (left), Leonardo’s senior vice president for airborne systems, and Park Hyuck, Hanwha Systems’ president of ISR business division, pose for a picture after signing a supply deal on May 13, 2024, at Leonardo’s office in Milan (Courtesy of Hanwha Systems)

Global defense makers aim to win deals to improve the performance of fighter jets by replacing the existing radars with AESA radars.

“AESA radars for aircraft are expected to become one of our main export products in the future just like multi-functional radars for the Cheongung II, exports of which have recently been rising,” Eoh said.

Hanwha System in 2022 sealed a 1.3 trillion won ($1 billion) deal to export multi-functional radars for the mid-range surface-to-air missile system, known as Cheongung II in Korean, which means "heaven’s bow," to the United Arab Emirates.

Write to Sang Hoon Sung at [email protected]

Sorry, it's in Korean, not English. To summarize the contents of the video, it is an air-cooled radar for LCA and is 45% thinner and 35% lighter than before with the Tile-type TRB rather than the existing KF-21's Brick-type TRB. It can be applied in various ways so that it can be used not only in LCA but also in unmanned fighter jets and helicopters.

U.S. Navy Ship Arrives at Hanwha Ocean Shipyard for Overhaul - Naval News

A U.S. Navy dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Wally Schirra, arrived at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in South Korea for a regular overhaul.

www.navalnews.com

The U.S. Navy ship 'Wally Schirra' approaches the quay after arriving at Hanwha Ocean Geoje Shipyard. (Hanwha Ocean photo)

U.S. Navy Ship Arrives at Hanwha Ocean Shipyard for Overhaul​

Hanwha Ocean announced that the USNS Wally Schirra arrived at our Geoje shipyard on September 2nd for a regular overhaul. This marks the beginning of a new era in defense cooperation between South Korea and the United States.​

Hanwha Ocean press release


The welcome ceremony was attended by over 50 officials from the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command Far East, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and Geoje City.


The USNS Wally Schirra, a dry cargo and ammunition ship, delivers supplies to customer ships at sea, including ammunition, food, repair parts, and small quantities of fuel. The vessel has a displacement of 41,000 tons, a length of 210 meters, and a beam of 32.2 meters. The ship is scheduled to undergo overhaul at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard for approximately three months before being redelivered to the U.S. Navy.


Hanwha Ocean secured this project after obtaining the Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA), leveraging its world-class shipbuilding technology and infrastructure.


The welcome ceremony of the U.S. Navy ship ‘Wally Schirra’ at Hanwha Ocean Geoje Shipyard. (Hanwha Ocean photo)
Consequently, the U.S. has been actively considering outsourcing naval maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations to allies with advanced shipbuilding technology and facilities.

“We are very proud to be the first Korean shipyard to undertake an MRO operation for a U.S. Navy vessel. We will continue to uphold the reputation of the Korean maritime defense industry with timely and high-quality MRO services.”

Hanwha Ocean spokesperson

Click to expand...

In addition to engaging in U.S. naval MRO projects, Hanwha Ocean is preparing to enter the overhaul and upgrade market for ships it has built and exported to countries such as Indonesia and Thailand.

Hanwha Aerospace built South Korea‘s first overseas defense production facility.

H-ACE (Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence) has been opened in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Here they‘ll produce AS21 IFV, AS9 SPG, AS10 ARV for the Australian Army and future customers in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hanwha Ocean wins second order for MRO maintenance of US Navy ships

Hanwha Ocean has won two more maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) orders for U.S. Navy ships in three months. The company has won two MRO contracts this year, both ordered by the Singapore office of the US Navy's 7th Fleet Logistics Support Center.

Hanwha Ocean announced on the 12th that it has won a routine repair project for the USNS YUKON, a refueling ship assigned to the US Navy's 7th Fleet. The Yukon is a 206-meter-long, 29.6-meter-wide refueling ship with a displacement of about 31,000 tons and was commissioned in March 1994. Hanwha Ocean is expected to complete the repairs by April next year and deliver the ship back to the U.S. Navy.

Hanwha Ocean has been awarded an additional ship maintenance and overhaul (MRO) contract for the U.S. Navy. During the MRO of a U.S. Navy ship, which was the first order for the Korean shipbuilding industry, the company discovered a new defect that the U.S. Navy had not recognized.

According to the shipbuilding industry on the 12th, Hanwha Ocean recently won an additional MRO project for the U.S. Navy's Wally Schirra, which won the MRO project in August last year. Earlier, Hanwha Ocean met the initial maintenance request for the Wally Schirra, the first ship in the U.S. Navy's MRO project, within the contract period.

The Wally Schirra was scheduled to be delivered to the U.S. Navy this month, but Hanwha Ocean discovered additional maintenance requirements that were not included in the scope of the maintenance contract. In response, a solution using its own technology was proposed, and the U.S. Navy also requested Hanwha Ocean to modify it, so it will proceed with additional maintenance work. Hanwha Ocean also signed a revised contract with the U.S. Navy to guarantee sales that are significantly higher than the previous down payment.

HD Hyundai starts building 4 naval vessels in Peru

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder and an affiliate of HD Hyundai, has begun constructing four military vessels in Peru, establishing its foothold in the Latin American military ship market. HD Hyundai announced on Sunday that Hyundai Heavy Industry held a launch...

www.koreaherald.com

HD Hyundai starts building 4 naval vessels in Peru​

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder and an affiliate of HD Hyundai, has begun constructing four military vessels in Peru, establishing its foothold in the Latin American military ship market.

HD Hyundai announced on Sunday that Hyundai Heavy Industry held a launch ceremony for the Peru warship project at a shipyard in Callao, Peru, owned by Servicios Industriales de la Marina, a Peruvian navy-owned shipbuilding company. This announcement follows a deal worth approximately 640 billion won ($434 million), signed in April between HD Hyundai and the Peruvian government.

The company will build four ships of three different types -- a 3,400-ton frigate, a 2,200-ton offshore patrol vessel and two 1,400-ton amphibious landing ships -- as part of the largest defense industry deal ever awarded to a South Korean company by a South American country.

The launching ceremony held on Friday was attended by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen Olaya, along with other Peruvian military dignitaries and officials from HD Hyundai.

"This marks a very important milestone in the history of Peru's shipbuilding industry," said Peru‘s President Dina Boluarte. "We expect this project with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to promote the modernization of the Peruvian Navy and contribute to the nation's economic growth."

With all of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' docks in Ulsan fully booked for several years, the warships will be built at a shipyard in Peru, with deliveries to the navy scheduled to begin in 2026.

“We are committed to driving this project to success through technological excellence and trust, strengthening defense cooperation between Korea and Peru,” said Joo Won-ho, head of the naval and special ships unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Building on the profits from its sales of high-value-added ships, the company is strengthening its presence in the naval ship market, setting a sales target of $1.56 billion for naval and special ships, up 58.6 percent from the previous year. Peru is one of the company's key regions for military vessel cooperation, where HD Hyundai aims to establish localized ship construction systems and standardize technology transfer packages.

Poongsan FNS has completed the shipment of two fuses valued at US$10 million for export to MKE in Turkey. Seeing that it says PF302, I think it's a howitzer fuse for 105/155mm. I don't know about the other one.

Kelly Tours Hanwha Philly Shipyard to Hear from Workers, Highlights Need to Pass Ships for America Act to Lower Costs & Strengthen National Security - Senator Mark Kelly

Kelly introduced the bill with bipartisan, bicameral support and has the support of over 70 industry leaders Today, U.S. Navy veteran and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy alumnus Arizona Senator Mark Kelly toured Hanwha Philly Shipyard, a commercial shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kelly...

www.kelly.senate.gov

Kelly Tours Hanwha Philly Shipyard to Hear from Workers, Highlights Need to Pass Ships for America Act to Lower Costs & Strengthen National Security​

Kelly introduced the bill with bipartisan, bicameral support and has the support of over 70 industry leaders

Today, U.S. Navy veteran and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy alumnus Arizona Senator Mark Kelly toured Hanwha Philly Shipyard, a commercial shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kelly heard from workers and highlighted the urgent need to restore U.S. shipbuilding capacity to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen national security. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), who represents the district where the shipyard is located, joined Kelly in the visit.

Hanwha Philly Shipyard is a leading U.S. shipyard for commercial and government projects, a model for the type of investment the SHIPS for America Actwill supercharge to bring the best shipbuilding processes and technology back to the United States. Kelly introduced this legislation to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.

During the tour, Kelly put on his hard hat and walked through fabrication shops inside the shipyard where he talked to workers and saw assembling processes up close. After this, Kelly toured the State of Maine, the third of five new MARAD-owned National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) and saw TOTE Services, Inc.’s streamlined Vessel Construction Management (VCM) model in action. The State of Maine is anticipated to be delivered later this year to Maine Maritime Academy to serve as a state-of-the-art cadet training vessel and to fulfill numerous federal emergency response roles.

Sen. Kelly hears from Hanwha Philly Shipyard leadership during the tour.

Later, Kelly met with apprentices and instructors in the shipyard’s training center. He had the opportunity to observe the skills they’re learning and hear about why they applied to the program and how it’s creating opportunities for them. Hanwha Philly Shipyard’s three-year apprenticeship program provides interested candidates a way to break into the shipbuilding industry without having to pay for technical training out of pocket. Apprentices receive union pay and benefits as they learn one of five disciplines: shipbuilding, welding, outfitting, machine operation, and maintenance.

Sen. Kelly meets with Hanwha Philly Shipyard employees.

During the tour, Kelly also met with Hanwha Philly Shipyard’s President and CEO David Kim and staff to learn about the transition since Hanwha acquired Philly Shipyard last year, and the company’s plans to grow.

To be honest, I am skeptical that Korea can improve the U.S. shipbuilding industry. I don't even expect it. However, it would be wonderful if we could secure a job to build some of the U.S. Navy's warships in Korea. A full-fledged combat ship may not be possible, but an auxiliary ship may be possible...

MNC Solutions announced today that it has supplied servo valves to Turkiye's next-generation tank, the Altay.

The Altay is a next-generation tank developed through a technology transfer agreement for the production of Hyundai Rototem's K2 black-tipped tank in 2008 and is scheduled to be put into full operation in August. The Altay tank was designed based on Turkiye's original technology, but its quality and reliability were enhanced through technology transfer from Hyundai Rototem and installation of high-performance components such as MNC Solution's servo valves.

The servo valves supplied by MNC Solutions are a key component that controls the operation of the Altay tank's suspension system (ISU) with precise and fast response characteristics. The technology is also applied to various defense industry equipment such as K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled guns, and guided weapons, and is considered an important example of supporting the global competitiveness of Korean defense technology.

Through this contract, MNC Solutions will deliver servo valves starting in 2024 and will supply approximately 400 servo valves by '25.

“The servo valves developed with our proprietary technology are applied to various advanced defense equipment, including the Altay tank, K2 tank, and K9 self-propelled howitzer, and are contributing to the global competitiveness of the Korean defense industry,” said Kim Byung-geun, CEO of MNC Solution. ”Through this project, we plan to strengthen our position in the global defense market and further solidify our cooperation with customers based on advanced technology and reliability.”

Hanwha Ocean Completes Successful MRO for U.S. Navy Vessel 'USNS Wally Schirra' and Sets Sail



Hanwha Ocean has successfully completed maintenance, repair, and overhauling (MRO) for the U.S. Navy's supply vessel, 'USNS Wally Schirra,' marking a significant milestone as this is the first MRO project awarded to the company by the U.S. Navy. This endeavor is seen as a historic moment that enhances Korea-U.S. maritime defense cooperation.

The MRO work on the Wally Schirra, conducted at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje facility over approximately six months, included hull and engine maintenance, inspection and replacement of key equipment, and system upgrades. Hanwha Ocean demonstrated excellence in meeting the U.S. Navy's high technical requirements, achieving top performance in maintenance quality and efficiency.

During the maintenance process, Hanwha Ocean generated additional revenue by utilizing its in-house expertise. Notably, it identified new maintenance needs for the vessel that were not recognized at the initial contract stage, leading to a revised contract with significantly increased revenue and an extension of the contract period. Hanwha Ocean's ability to present additional solutions and resolve issues helped solidify trust with the U.S. Navy.

Since signing the U.S. Navy Maintenance Support Agreement (MSRA) in July of last year, Hanwha Ocean entered the U.S. Navy MRO market by securing the Wally Schirra overhaul project a month later. In November, they also won a contract for the regular maintenance of the refueler 'USNS Yukon,' further establishing trust within the United States.

Hanwha Ocean contributed to the development of the industrial ecosystem through collaboration with domestic shipbuilding companies and local partners during the MRO project. In particular, for the Yukon contract, they worked with small shipbuilding firms in the Geoje region, positively impacting the local economy.

This project has confirmed that Korea's shipbuilding industry possesses maintenance technology that is competitive on a global scale. Hanwha Ocean aims to continuously build models for mutual growth with domestic partners in the future.

Recently, the United States has been strengthening its ship maintenance capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region by expanding collaborations with allied shipyards. Thus, Hanwha Ocean's successful execution of U.S. Navy vessel maintenance is expected to establish Korea as a strategic hub in the global naval MRO market, going beyond a mere individual project. Hanwha Ocean also plans to expand its global MRO business in not only the U.S., but also Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

The global naval MRO market is growing steadily, with an estimated size of around $8 billion. Hanwha Ocean aims to secure MRO contracts for five to six U.S. Navy vessels this year and plans to further expand its overseas MRO business.

"The dedicated efforts of Hanwha Ocean employees and the crew of the Wally Schirra over the past months have successfully concluded this project," said Captain Patrick J. Moore, the U.S. Navy's Maritime Transportation Command advisor in Korea. "This is evidence of the close cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea, and we anticipate many future opportunities to strengthen this partnership."

“The success of this MRO project has again proven the technical expertise and reliability of the Korean shipbuilding industry to the world," said Kim Dae-sik, Executive Director of Hanwha Ocean's Special Ship MRO Task Force. "We will continue to strengthen U.S.-Korea naval cooperation and create new opportunities in the global naval MRO market.”

Building on this successful collaboration with the U.S. Navy, Hanwha Ocean plans to further solidify its position in the global defense market.

The video shows that at the beginning of the MRO, thickness measurements taken to find corroded steel plates on the hull of the USNS Wally Shira revealed 90 places to repair, but after removing the barnacles attached to the ship, the measurements were taken again and 182 places were identified for repair.


“The Republic of Korea’s ability to conduct large-scale maintenance to USNS ships within the Indo-Pacific Theater demonstrates the strong strategic partnership between the Republic of Korea and the United States,” said Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea. “Maintenance in Theater reduces downtime and costs, while enhancing operational readiness. This is a landmark achievement to be celebrated as a symbol of our strengthened partnership and ironclad commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance.”

ROH conducted aboard Wally Schirra in the Republic of Korea included dry docking, and more than 300 work items that addressed hull corrosion and a full rudder replacement.

“Hanwha addressed extensive deterioration and damage to the hull, propeller, rudder, and rudder post/steering gear,” said Cmdr. Patrick J. Moore, commanding officer, MSC Office-Korea. “Notably, Hanwha engineers reverse-engineered the damaged rudder, completely replacing the unit when blueprint were not available. This saved significant time and resources in getting Wally Schirra back to sea, a testament to their resilient supply chains, advanced automations, and skilled workforce.”

Wally Schirra is one of the many ships that are part of the U.S. Navy’s Combat Logistics Force (CLF). CLF are the supply lines to U.S. Navy ships while at sea. These ships provide virtually everything Navy ships need including fuel, food, fleet ordnance, dry cargo, spare parts, mail, and other supplies.

“We appreciated the opportunity to complete this maintenance in the Republic of Korea, which will ensure Wally Schirra is ready for any tasking,” said Moore. “The addition of ROH capability for MSC ships in the Republic of Korea’s shipping industry adds additional means to deliver repair of military logistics vessels in order to sustain the readiness necessary to support Fleet operations.”

KAI signs 93 billion won contract to extend KT-1B aircraft lifespan in Indonesia​

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 14th that it has signed a contract for the airframe life extension project of the KT-1B basic trainer aircraft operated by the Indonesian government and the Indonesian Air Force. The contract amount is $64 million (approximately 93 billion won).

The airframe life extension project refers to reinforcing the fuselage and wings (the left and right sides of the fuselage) through operational analysis and life assessment, aiming to extend the airframe's design life to the target operational hours. KAI noted that the life of the KT-1B airframe is expected to increase by approximately 150% compared to the existing specifications through this project.

KAI plans to send specialized personnel to Indonesia to carry out the life extension project. It will also expand cooperation with local corporations such as the Indonesian Air Force and the state-owned defense corporation PTDI.

The KT-1B is the Indonesian export version of the basic trainer KT-1. Since the export of the first unit in 2003, a total of 20 units have been exported to date. The Indonesian Air Force uses the KT-1B as a basic trainer for pilot training and also utilizes it for the aerobatic team Jupiter.

Aircraft typically operates for more than 30 to 40 years, and the follow-up support and performance enhancement projects can amount to 2 to 5 times the cost of acquiring the aircraft. KAI plans to expand the life extension project based on contracts for a total of 224 domestically produced aircraft.

KAI stated, "This life extension contract demonstrates our capacity as a comprehensive aviation solution provider capable of managing the entire lifecycle of aircraft, from development and manufacturing to operation and maintenance, and performance enhancements."