Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense, said, "When it comes to weapon selection, in the past, we focused on finding the best technology. Now, the ability to protect our citizens amidst political and supply chain changes has become important. The defense power and priorities of countries are changing."
Hanwha Global Defense is a corporation overseeing the overseas operations of Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Ocean, and Hanwha System, with headquarters in Washington, D.C.
CEO Coulter noted in a post on the internal bulletin board on the 15th (local time), "The existing procurement and production cycles cannot keep up with the demands of the constantly changing global defense environment." In the past, countries emphasized technological capabilities when strengthening military power, but now they seek speed in delivery, technology localization through transfer, and local production.
Hanwha is jointly producing the K9 in Poland and has established a joint venture with the local WB Group to manufacture guided missiles for the multiple rocket launcher Cheonmu (locally known as Homar K). From Poland's perspective, this reduces dependence on foreign weapons.
He mentioned multinational corporations as the defense vision of Hanwha Group. Hanwha is also producing the K9 in Romania and is providing programs for the manufacture of K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, technology transfer, and the establishment of local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities. In Geelong, Australia, local production of the AS9 self-propelled howitzer, AS10 ammunition resupply armored vehicle (ARV), and Redback infantry combat vehicle has begun through the Hanwha Armored Vehicle Excellence Center (H-ACE).
CEO Coulter said, "I want to see Hanwha become a leading corporation in the global aerospace and defense industry," adding, "This does not simply mean becoming a larger, stronger, and more capable corporation, but rather growing into a multinational corporation."