Hanwha Group's Consecutive Defense Contracts... Spotlight on 'Soft Defense Strategy'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] The steadfast defense management of Kim Seung-yeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group, is shining. Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Defense recently secured key domestic and international projects consecutively, achieving sales of 1.67 trillion won this month.

On the 15th, Hanwha Systems won the project for the 'Combat Management System (CMS) and Multifunction Radar (MFR) Development' of the Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX). The project scale is 670 billion won. The combat management system is a strategic weapon system that integrates and operates various sensors, armaments, and other communication and command systems installed on the ship, serving as the 'brain' of the vessel. The destroyer construction project will be carried out by Hyundai Heavy Industries. The KDDX is significant as a 'mini Aegis destroyer' developed with our own technology.

On the 3rd, Hanwha Defense signed a supply contract worth 1 trillion won with the Australian Department of Defense. The K9 is a 155mm, 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer boasting overwhelming firepower, high mobility, and survivability. Based on long-range fire support and real-time concentrated fire capability, it can operate in various operational environments from deserts to snowy mountains. Hanwha Defense plans to supply 30 K9 self-propelled howitzers, 15 K10 ammunition resupply armored vehicles, and other support equipment as part of the Australian Army's modernization project.

Behind Hanwha Group's defense order achievements lies not only continuous technological development and production investment in the defense sector but also a soft defense strategy. Hanwha Defense has consistently cared for foreign military officers from over 30 countries who come to Korea for training. About 100 foreign military officers undergo a two-year education program, spending the first year at the Defense Language Institute learning Korean, followed by one year of military training. Hanwha Defense invites these foreign officers to the Hanwha Group headquarters building, where they introduce Hanwha Group's defense products and conduct various experiential events.

This creates opportunities for foreign military officers and their families, spending unfamiliar times away from home, to have enjoyable experiences and develop a positive image of Korea and Hanwha Group. A Hanwha Group official said, "Most foreign officers coming from underdeveloped countries are elite officers in their home countries," adding, "Some have become defense ministers of their countries after two years, and as influential figures in their respective countries, they play a significant role in promoting Hanwha's defense strategy." Gifts engraved with soldiers' birth years and names on traditional bells, which can introduce our culture, were also presented to the United Nations (UN) forces. Additionally, to express gratitude to partner companies, business kits containing daily necessities such as cosmetics and toothpaste were given as tokens of appreciation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.