Hanwha Systems

Hanwha Systems is South Korea’s only global defense electronics and ICT smart solutions company, pioneering the industry with hyper-connected, hyper-intelligent, hyper-convergent, and super-spaced technologies. Based on the digital solution capabilities of our defense and ICT business, we are creating convergent synergy in the national defense and civil sectors.

Our ICT division leverages big data and IT development platform capabilities to develop new smart factory and smart yard conversion projects. The defense division has secured an unrivaled position by successfully developing systems that in essence serve as the brain and sensory organs of military weapon systems, based on the industry’s best technology and research personnel.

By providing advanced defense solutions based on future cutting-edge technologies from land to sea and space, we are solidifying our position as South Korea's leading defense solution company. Additionally, we are contributing to making life safer and better for our customers and mankind through our world-class solutions that support business leadership and enhance value and functionality of platforms.

We are fully committed to expanding our presence in space and exploring its infinite potential. In 2023, we successfully launched the small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite over the southern sea of Jeju Island. Being the first Earth observation satellite developed entirely with a private South Korean company’s technology, its launch marked the beginning of South Korea's new space era. Hanwha Systems will integrate the images obtained from the observation satellites with AI technology to predict the future in various fields — such as national security, disaster management, and monitoring of land and sea — to provide essential insights for Earth and humanity. Hanwha Systems is also developing a next-generation small SAR satellite with a resolution of 0.25 meters, comparable to those of leading space powers. We are also accelerating efforts to integrate AI-based technologies capable of rapidly classifying and analyzing space data, which aim to enhance mission precision and operational safety. Additionally, we are nearing the completion of the Hanwha Space Center in Jeju, which will be the largest satellite mass production facility in South Korea. Once operational, it is expected to significantly expand the application of AI technology in the space sector.

SAR satellites gather data in all weather conditions, regardless of the time of day. Only small and agile SAR satellites can revisit the same location every day, enabling the detection of subtle changes in images that were previously impossible. By establishing an end-to-end global integrated solution, encompassing satellite development, manufacturing, and services, we will lead South Korea's space industry. In the field of communication satellites, we are developing a multi-layered, hyper-connected network that integrates both satellite and ground systems. This infrastructure is designed to enable seamless communication during critical situations, such as national emergencies or natural disasters, while also supporting the uninterrupted operation of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) systems.

In aviation technology, we strive to expand our global competitiveness. We are developing key components such as an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for fighter jets for the first time in South Korea. In May 2024, we signed a contract with Leonardo, a leading aerospace and defense company in Europe, to supply AESA radar antennas for light combat aircraft. In June, we also joined a domestic development project led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to build AESA radar systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This project is expected to result in the debut of South Korea’s first air-cooled AESA radar. Especially, we aim to enhance global competitiveness by providing integrated package solutions in the aviation field such as hyper-connectivity technology that controls manned and unmanned teaming systems (MUM-T). Hanwha Systems is also focusing on aircraft survivability systems, which are essential for protecting both aircraft and pilots. In 2018, we developed South Korea’s first directional infrared counter measures (DIRCM), becoming the sixth country in the world to acquire this technology. Building on this capability, we expect to participate in performance improvement projects for integrated survivability systems across various platforms, including both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.

Hanwha Systems is establishing a hyperconnected network ranging from surveillance and reconnaissance equipment in the land, sea, air, space, and cyber battlefields, to precision strike equipment. We aim to offer integrated air defense solutions by establishing an intelligent command and control system that quickly shares information from the battlefield and strengthens land defense. Our multi-layer air defense solution, connected to space assets and intelligent command and control (C2), is a core weapon system that protects key assets near and far. Hanwha Systems’ multi-function radars (MFR) have various functions such as detection, tracking, electronic warfare, and missile guidance, allowing them to perform multiple single-function radar missions simultaneously. In recognition of its technological prowess, we successfully exported the mid-range surface to air missile multi-function radar (M-SAM MFR) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for USD 1.01 billion in 2022 and signed another multifunctional radar export agreement with Saudi Arabia in 2024. We also aim to provide multi-layer complex total solutions — using both soft-kill and hard-kill methods in accordance with the operational environment — by expanding our air defense capabilities, including anti-drone systems that can neutralize the enemy’s unmanned aerial vehicles and drone swarms. 

In the naval sector, we provide solutions based on cutting-edge technology. We aim to maximize the Navy's combat power through combat systems, which act as the brain of a naval vessel, and unmanned systems, the key to future maritime battlefields. The Naval Combat Management System (CMS) is a key solution for surface and underwater vessels to defend themselves from enemies and obstacles and achieve their missions. To complete complex missions and expand operational radius, the navy is pursuing construction of new ships, the improvement of existing ships, and the deployment of maritime unmanned systems. To maximize the navy's combat power, we aim to provide hyper-connected, automated, intelligent, and unmanned maritime system solutions.

In addition, as the only company in South Korea that can provide a combat system with the technological maturity of developed countries for naval vessels for export, we plan to expand our exports to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with our unrivaled CMS development, mass production, follow-up logistics support capabilities, and K-defense industry competitiveness.

We provide Integrated Vetronics Systems (IVS) that serve as the “brain” of various mobility, fire-power, and air-defense weapon systems — enhancing overall ground combat capabilities. We are also researching and developing the Warrior Platform, which strengthens soldiers’ operational capabilities by integrating advanced technologies into individual combat gear, as well as remote-control solutions for unmanned ground systems.

As the battlespace expands, combat vehicle survivability and operational performance are becoming increasingly critical. Hanwha Systems is therefore developing an Active Protection System (APS) for tanks and armored vehicles that neutralizes incoming threats — such as anti-tank rockets and missiles — before impact. Leveraging advanced sensors, including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the APS detects and tracks projectiles with high precision. It then applies AI-based analysis to assess the nature and trajectory of threats in real-time. Based on this analysis, the advanced system considerably enhances the survivability of combat vehicles by integrating various countermeasures, such as physical suppression and electronic disruption. Building on these capabilities, we aim to deliver hyper-connected, automated, intelligent, and unmanned land-system solutions that elevate the Army’s operational readiness.

Our ICT Division is delivering customized solutions to meet specific customer needs in various industries by utilizing core technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Hanwha Systems is demonstrating differentiated capabilities not only for cloud-based data analysis but also for smart factories, integrated platforms for public infrastructure security and control and financial IT systems, powered by big data, the cloud, ITO/IDC, business-specific solutions and financial solutions. We will lead the digital transformation of the industry by diversifying our business into blockchain and metaverse technologies using our advanced ICT services tailored for different sectors. By connecting all platforms on land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace using hyper-connected, hyper-intelligent, hyper-convergent, as well as hyper-space technologies, Hanwha Systems is poised to become a global leader in business and platform solutions, committed to enhancing the safety and quality of lives worldwide.