Vice Chmn. Kim Dong-kwan of Hanwha Aerospace, representing the Korean defense industry “K-defense,” headed a delegation to promote exports in the Middle East by participating in in the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Vice Chmn. Kim participated in (IDEX) 2025 at the ADNEC Exhibition Center that took place from Feb. 17 to 21 Hanwha’s aerospace and defense affiliates’ participation in the fair was designed to strengthen their presence in the Middle East and African markets.
The largest aerospace and defense contractor in South Korea, Hanwha presented a variety of cutting-edge capabilities, including artillery systems, armored vehicles, a long-range ballistic interceptor system, and reconnaissance satellites.
Vice Chmn. Kim was expected to meet with UAE government to discuss ways of promoting technology cooperation in multi-layer air defense solutions, such as L-SAM, the Middle East market entry of the homegrown K9A1Self-Propelled Howitzer, and unmanned system areas, such as UGV.
He was also expected to share views, such as greater cooperation possibility in the space sector, eco-friendly ship and energy areas.
At the show, Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the K9A1 Self-Propelled Howitzer fitted with a domestically-built 1,000-horsepower engine for the first time.
The homegrown engine has been tested intensively in South Korea, Egypt and other nations for a year to prove its reliability in different environments and territory.
The Long-Range Surface-to-Air (L-SAM) missile system also took the center stage of the Hanwha stand as an optimal solution for Middle Eastern countries seeking to enhance their air-defense network.
L-SAM is an upper tier air defense network interoperable with lower tier defense systems such as M-SAM and PAC-3, to provide enhanced defensive capabilities through integration with command and control (C2) system.
Hanwha Aerospace develops the L-SAM interceptor missile capable of thwarting incoming ballistic missiles at high altitudes, using sophisticated technologies including the dual-pulse propulsion system, and the divert & altitude control system.
Mass production of the L-SAM is to begin this year for delivery to the ROK Air Force. An improved variant, the L-SAM II is also under development to be completed by 2028.
Hanwha Systems is responsible for the L-SAM multi-function radar (MFR), capable of detecting and tracking terminal-phase, high-altitude ballistic missiles and aircraft at long ranges. In the space domain, Hanwha Systems presented its latest small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, which can deliver 0.25m resolution images of ships, vehicles and others both for the civilian and military purposes.
“We’re very excited to present our technology, capabilities and commitment to industrial partnerships at IDEX 2025.
Hanwha is a multi-domestic, global leader in defense, bringing innovation, expertise, resources, and cost-effectiveness, at speed and scale,” said Michael Coulter, who has been named President & CEO of Hanwha Global Defense.
“In the region, Hanwha is committed to partnering with industry, defense customers and governments to deliver disruptive capabilities, sovereign capacity, and industrial presence across the land, sea, air, and space domains.”
Vice Chmn. Kim Dong-kwan of Hanwha Group looks at exhibits on display at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) 2025, which opened in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Feb. 17.
Other capabilities displayed at IDEX include: Chunmoo MRLS
Developed to counter North Korea’s long-range artillery threat, the K239 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MRLS) is capable of real-time precision strikes on key targets from outside the enemy’s artillery range Guided missiles equipped with GPS/INS combined navigation devices enable a precision strike capability of 15m CEP.
It can be mounted with two firing pods in the launchpad, providing stronger firepower than other products in the market.
Redback IFV
The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is one of the world’s most modernized infantry fighting vehicle equipped with innovative technologies such as an active protection system, composite rubber tracks, enhanced layered armor protection, remote weapons station, and advanced systems architecture.
Hanwha Vice Chmn. Kim Meets with Saudi Minister of National Guard Abdullah, Agreeing to ‘Contributing to Middle East Security and Economy’
Vice Chmn. Kim Dong-kwan of Hanwha Group met with Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud, minister of national guard of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and they shared the view that they will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s security and economy and take joint steps on security demand of the Middle East.
Hanwha said Vice Chmn. Kim had a meeting with Minister Abdullah at Lotte Hotel in Seoul last Nov. 4. They agreed to cooperate in the defense industry sector of Saudi Arabia’s development strategy, dubbed “Vision 2030.”
Vice Chmn. Kim has been promoting practical cooperative relations based on mutual trust since he met with Minister Abdullah as a member of the Korean government’s economic delegation in October 2023.
During their meeting, Hanwha side revealed a plan to contribute in the security and economic sectors through localization based on advanced solutions, joint development and MRO to Saudi National Guard side, seeking to modernize the defense industry. Saudi Arabia aims to localize more than half of defense industry imports under the catchphrase “Vision 2030.”
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