Hanwha Corporation South Korea

[TR_123456]

Since Korea Explosives was established in 1952, Hanwha Corporation has been leading the domestic explosives and related industries for more than 70 years, fortifying the foundation for Hanwha Group’s growth. In November 2022, we merged with our subsidiary Hanwha Engineering & Construction and reorganized the business into three divisions: Hanwha Corporation/Global, Hanwha Corporation/Momentum and Hanwha Corporation/Engineering & Construction. Each division will strengthen growth engines and raise its profile at home and abroad by developing high value–added technologies, entering new businesses and expanding overseas businesses. In March 2022, we acquired stakes in REC Silicon, a Norway–based U.S. polysilicon manufacturer, as we expand our business into core materials for semiconductors and secondary batteries.

Hanwha Corporation | Hanwha

As the root of Hanwha Group, Hanwha Corporation develops high-value-added technologies and innovations to pioneer new businesses.

www.hanwha.com

 

[Fatman17]

Award marks Hanwha’s first major US Army contract

Hanwha’s K9 Mobile Howitzer
Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) announced that it has won a contract from the U.S. Army to deliver prototype K9 Mobile Howitzers (K9MH) for the Army’s new Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program. The agreement provides for the accelerated delivery of six prototype MTC systems, with an option for an additional 12. This award marks HDUSA’s first major contract with the U.S. Army.

HDUSA will provide a technically superior and rapidly fieldable 155 mm artillery system that supports the U.S. Army’s modernization and long-range precision fires objectives. With more than 2,500 K9 Howitzers already fielded globally, Hanwha is uniquely positioned to partner with the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to establish high-volume industrial capacity centered around the company’s wartime production ethos.

Hanwha’s phased-in localization strategy with domestic production and support means America’s defense industrial base will benefit from advanced manufacturing techniques, demonstrated technology, and good jobs. HDUSA is establishing a Phase I site in Opelika, Alabama, that will serve as the U.S. integration and test facility for Hanwha’s family of K9 Mobile Howitzers. HDUSA signed a three-year lease as part of the company’s strategic commitment to invest in the U.S. artillery system supply chain, enhance America’s combat vehicle industrial base, and serve as a long-term artillery modernization partner to the U.S. Army.

“We’re honored that the U.S. Army has selected Hanwha’s K9 Mobile Howitzer to fulfill its Mobile Tactical Cannon requirement. The K9MH is the total artillery solution and will be the centerpiece of Army Fires’ transformation into a more modern, more lethal force,” said Mike Smith, Hanwha Defense USA COO and President of Land Systems. “The U.S. Army’s selection is a testament to our track record of delivering devastating capability at speed, at scale, on cost, and onshore. As the wheeled variant of the K9, the K9MH provides an expansion path towards a tracked capability with designed-in margin for the future fight. And with such a capability, that fight will not be a fair one.”

Compatible with the Army’s full suite of munitions, the K9MH’s selection means the U.S. has now joined nearly a dozen allies who share a global industrial network and supply chain.

“Hanwha’s global supply chain and local production experience in Australia, Egypt, Poland, and Romania demonstrate a proven commitment to local execution we’re excited to bring to the U.S.,” said Michael Coulter, Hanwha Defense USA CEO. “Localization is central to Hanwha’s global business model, leveraging our global leading industrial technology and process in Korea to create sovereign industrial strength in the U.S., whether it be in shipbuilding, munitions, or combat vehicles.”

“This award reflects Hanwha’s enduring commitment to the United States and to strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base,” said Hanwha Group Chief Strategy Officer Alex Wong. “We are not simply delivering a system — we are building an American manufacturing enterprise, transferring technology, and creating a lasting foundation for broad industrial collaboration. Hanwha is invested in America for the long term.”

“We’re focused on creating a U.S.-anchored K9 Mobile Howitzer manufacturing network — with Opelika, Alabama, as the current Phase I launch point — that can deliver advanced Mobile Tactical Cannons at the speed and scale the U.S. Army needs,” said Jason Pak, Hanwha Defense USA Head of Land Systems-Artillery.

HDUSA will continue to evaluate future phases and locations as the company expands its U.S. artillery systems footprint and production capacity. The company is committed to engaging with suppliers and developing the workforce of the future necessary for long-term sustainment and technology insertion activities.

At a time when the U.S. is placing renewed focus on strengthening America’s defense industrial base, HDUSA believes its combination of mature capability and industrial commitment offers both near-term relevance and long-term value.
www.hanwha.com

 

[Fatman17]

Press ReleaseAerospace & Defense

Beyond the howitzer: Hanwha unveils next evolution of K9​

September 4, 2026

• The fifth K9 User Club takes place in Estonia Sept. 2-4, bringing together K9 user nations to strengthen collaboration and explore the future of artillery capabilities
• Hanwha unveils a next-generation K9 operating concept integrating fire-guidance drones to accelerate the sensor-to-shooter cycle from target acquisition to battle damage assessment
• New wheeled artillery concepts showcase the K9 platform's scalability and adaptability to meet evolving operational requirements
• TOMMS digital sustainment solution enhances fleet readiness through predictive maintenance and data-driven logistics

Peter JK Bae, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of MRO Business Division at Hanwha Aerospace, delivers a keynote address at the fifth K9 User Club
Hanwha Aerospace unveiled its vision for the next evolution of the K9 self-propelled howitzer at this year's K9 User Club in Estonia, demonstrating how the globally proven artillery system is evolving beyond its traditional role through next-generation operating concepts, platform expansion, and smarter sustainment to meet the demands of the future battlefield.

The three-day forum brings together more than 200 military and industry representatives from seven K9 user nations — South Korea, Estonia, Poland, Norway, Finland, Romania, and Australia — alongside observer delegations from Spain and Sweden.

Hosted by the Estonian Defence Forces at the Estonian National Museum Sept. 2-4, the annual forum provides a platform for K9 operators to exchange operational experience, strengthen partnerships, and help shape the future of artillery capabilities.

“The K9 has established itself as an outstanding and highly capable artillery system. Its performance, reliability, and operational capabilities have earned the trust of a growing number of NATO allies and partner nations,” said Maj. Gen. Viktor Kalnitski, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. “The K9 User Club brings together commanders, artillery officers, operators, technical specialists, and representatives of industry. It provides an opportunity to exchange practical experience and to discuss the challenges that each of us faces.”

Building on the operational experience accumulated by K9 user nations, this year's discussions focus on how artillery capabilities should evolve to address increasingly dynamic battlefield environments. Participants discuss operational lessons learned, maintenance best practices, ammunition interoperability, training, and future capability requirements while identifying opportunities for deeper collaboration among K9 operators.


Giving K9 eyes in the sky

One of the key highlights of this year's User Club is the next-generation K9 operating concept, which integrates fire-guidance drones directly into the artillery fire mission. Rather than focusing solely on improving the performance of the gun, the concept redefines how artillery units detect, engage, and assess targets by significantly shortening the sensor-to-shooter cycle.

Hanwha presented the concept employing a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fire-guidance drone capable of detecting and tracking targets, generating target coordinates, and transmitting them directly to the fire-direction system for K9 fire missions.

The drone remains over the target area throughout the engagement, supporting target acquisition before firing, observing impacts during the mission, and conducting battle damage assessment after engagement.

Continuous aerial observation enables artillery units to engage moving or time-sensitive targets more effectively while reducing reliance on forward observers operating in exposed positions.

The concept demonstrates how the K9 is evolving beyond a conventional self-propelled howitzer into a more connected, responsive, and networked battlefield system.


Expanding K9 beyond tracks

The next evolution of the K9 extends beyond how it fights — it also redefines what the platform itself can become. Building on decades of operational success, Hanwha Aerospace is demonstrating the K9 platform's scalability and adaptability, positioning it as the foundation for a broader family of future artillery capabilities.

Hanwha is leveraging the proven technologies, operational experience, and continuous innovation behind the K9 to extend the platform into new artillery solutions tailored to evolving operational requirements. This approach enables new capabilities while preserving the reliability, survivability, and firepower that have made the K9 one of the world's most successful self-propelled howitzers.

To illustrate that vision, Hanwha outlined new wheeled artillery concepts incorporating advanced technologies — including the K9A2's fully automated turret — to deliver greater operational mobility, deployment flexibility, and responsiveness. The concepts demonstrate how proven K9 technologies can be applied beyond the traditional tracked configuration, enabling more agile and flexible fire support while leveraging the platform's mature technology base and operational experience.

Hanwha's recent selection for the U.S. Army's Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) prototype program further reinforces the company's growing expertise in next-generation mobile artillery and demonstrates the global competitiveness of its advanced artillery technologies.

Together, these developments demonstrate that the K9 is no longer simply a tracked self-propelled howitzer. It is evolving into a scalable and adaptable artillery platform capable of supporting multiple configurations, integrating emerging technologies, and meeting diverse operational requirements for the battlefield of the future.

Polish military officials attending the fifth K9 User Club
Smarter sustainment for the K9 fleet

Hanwha Aerospace's Total Operation & Maintenance Management System (TOMMS) Sustainment Portal also drew significant attention from participating K9 operators as they explored ways to enhance fleet readiness and long-term sustainment.

Designed to digitize spare-parts procurement and logistics, TOMMS integrates requests for quotation, quotations, purchase orders, and delivery tracking into a single platform, providing greater visibility and efficiency throughout the sustainment process.

The system includes a digital catalog covering 700-800 frequently requested spare parts, enabling operators to identify required components more efficiently while improving procurement visibility.

Hanwha also plans to connect TOMMS with its spare-parts warehouse in Poland to further strengthen support for European K9 operators.

Looking ahead, the company aims to leverage maintenance and operational data to forecast spare-parts demand and position critical components before they are needed, moving from reactive logistics toward predictive sustainment.

The initiative is expected to improve fleet readiness, maximize operational availability, and reduce life cycle support costs, supporting K9 operators throughout the system's entire life cycle.

“The K9 User Club has become much more than an annual gathering. It is a collaborative platform where users, operators, and industry work together to transform operational experience into future capability development,” said Senior Executive Vice President Peter JK Bae, Head of MRO Business Division. “Every lesson learned in the field helps shape the next generation of K9 capabilities — from new operating concepts and mobility solutions to smarter sustainment.”

The K9 User Club is hosted by participating user nations on a rotating basis, with Australia set to host the next K9 User Club in 2027.


About Hanwha Aerospace

Hanwha Aerospace is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services. These include land combat vehicles such as the world-renowned K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, various other weapons systems, munitions, aircraft engine parts, and technology products and services.
As South Korea's largest aerospace and defense company, Hanwha Aerospace is engaged in the research, development, and manufacture of advanced technology systems and is spearheading the country's space projects.

For more information, visit: http://www.hanwhaaerospace.com

 

[Fatman17]

Press ReleaseAerospace & Defense

Hanwha Defense USA to locate munitions manufacturing campus at Pine Bluff Arsenal​

September 22, 2026

• #Hanwha
• #Hanwha Defense USA
• #Defense industry
• #Global partnerships
• #Global security
• #Defense systems
• #Global security
• #Pine Bluff Arsenal

$2.2 billion investment will expand munitions production capacity and create close to 400 jobs in Arkansas

Hanwha Defense USA executives, state officials, and local leaders cut the ribbon on the company’s new administration headquarters at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas
Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) has announced plans to locate its new Hanwha Advanced Manufacturing Campus at the U.S. Army Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) in Arkansas. The munitions facility represents a capital investment of $2.2 billion and is expected to create close to 400 jobs over seven years.

Hanwha executives joined state officials and local leaders to celebrate the opening of its new administration headquarters at the Pine Bluff Arsenal on Monday. The administration headquarters is the first step in HDUSA’s munitions campus vision at PBA. HDUSA was awarded a lease solicitation for a munitions campus at PBA in January 2026.

“Hanwha remains committed to supporting the American defense industrial base by bringing our manufacturing strength to the U.S. and creating up to 400 jobs in Arkansas,” said Hanwha Defense USA CEO Michael Coulter. “By opening our new office in Pine Bluff that will oversee local operations, Hanwha plans to invest around $2.2 billion in our new Advanced Manufacturing Campus that will transform the domestic munitions industrial base and further strengthen America’s arsenal of freedom.”

“The eventual lease will create revenue for the Army, bring in new jobs for the local community, and enhance our organic industrial base,” said Jordan Gillis, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. “By leasing underutilized land, the Army can reinvest the consideration into critical infrastructure to support the quality of life of soldiers, civilians, and their family members — delivering lasting value for both the Army and the region.”

“By choosing the Pine Bluff Arsenal as the home of their new munitions manufacturing campus, Hanwha Defense USA is delivering a huge win for communities throughout the Arkansas Delta, bolstering local economies and creating hundreds of jobs,” said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “It’s because of billion-dollar investments like this one that aerospace and defense is Arkansas’ number one export industry. Thank you, Michael, and the entire team at Hanwha for choosing the Natural State. I look forward to our ongoing partnership as we fuel the Arsenal of Freedom here at home.”

Hanwha Defense USA’s new facility will focus on the production of 155 mm propellant charges and base bleed units. The facility will establish advanced domestic manufacturing capabilities spanning key stages of munitions production, supporting increased U.S. production capacity and modernizing the nation’s munitions industrial base.

“I’ve been proud to work with Senator Boozman and Congressman Westerman to ensure Pine Bluff Arsenal remains a key national security asset that is ripe for greater defense investment, and I’m grateful Hanwha is partnering with the Army to expand critical munitions production,” said Sen. Tom Cotton. “This project will bring in billions in investment and hundreds of jobs for Arkansans, all while making Americans safer.”

“Over the past 18 months, the Arkansas team has worked closely with Hanwha — hosting site visits across Arkansas, meeting with company executives in Korea, and holding discussions at the Paris and Farnborough Airshows — to deliver an ideal location for its new munitions campus. Hanwha is setting down roots in the Natural State, and we could not be prouder that this industry leader is committing $2.2 billion at the Pine Bluff Arsenal,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Collaboration was essential for this project — it would not have been possible without many stakeholders in and outside the state working together for a common goal. We congratulate all of these stakeholders, especially Hanwha, the Arkansas congressional delegation, the U.S. Army, the Pine Bluff Arsenal, and the local community.”


About Hanwha Defense USA

A subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Defense USA delivers proven platforms with a demonstrated process maturity successfully projected across numerous markets and supply chains across the globe, with a track record of developing local workforces required to produce and sustain across product life cycles to meet the needs of warfighters and industrial base partners. HDUSA continues to expand its U.S. footprint through organic growth, strategic industrial partnerships, and selective business acquisition.

For more information, visit: www.hanwhadefenseusa.com

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