"The multiple launch rocket system 'Chunmoo' is already a proven weapons platform in regions such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East, thanks to its precision-guided missiles and long-range strike capabilities. It is competitive enough that we expect it to raise the standing of K-defense in emerging markets, including Africa."
Sung Il, president of Hanwha Aerospace's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional headquarters, said this in an interview with the Seoul Economic Daily on Monday. "Centered on Chunmoo, which has won a series of contracts in Europe, we are widening our stride not only into the Middle East but also into the African market," he said.
Hanwha Aerospace is accelerating its push into the African market, beginning with a proposal for an "integrated firepower and air defense solution" in Egypt, a strategically pivotal country in the region. The proposal links the K9 self-propelled howitzer with the multiple launch guided weapon system "Chunmoo."
Hanwha Aerospace recently completed local testing of the K9 self-propelled howitzer equipped with a Korean-made engine at its local production plant "Factory 200" in Egypt, and plans to hold a rollout ceremony soon. Follow-up cooperation to gradually increase the localization ratio of parts is also under discussion.
"The K9 and Chunmoo are already platforms proven in the global market," Sung said. "As a way to expand the technology transfer and localization model for K-defense's major ground weapons, we are presenting a 'firepower + air defense + integrated command and control' package and attempting a strategic evolution in the MENA region."
The "firepower + air defense + integrated command and control" package is a customized solution targeting increasingly sophisticated drone and ballistic missile threats. It is an integrated air defense system comprising the L-SAM (long-range surface-to-air guided missile), a 40mm unmanned air defense system, short-range drone launchers, and "Chun-geom," a surface-to-surface guided weapon upgrade.
Sung assessed that recent changes in the Middle East defense market represent another opportunity for K-defense.
"Major Middle Eastern countries are simultaneously pursuing the strengthening of their own defense capabilities and localization, and they are looking for proven partners," he said. "We have local production experience with the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, both proven through combat and export, so we are being evaluated as a key security and industrial partner within the Middle East."
He added, "It is not so much that the barriers to the Middle East market have risen, but rather that customers' standards have become more refined. They comprehensively consider not only price and performance but also localization, technology transfer, financing and long-term logistics support. If we build local corporations and production bases that meet those standards, it will be another opportunity for K-defense."
"Given the nature of the Middle East region, it is difficult to reveal specific details of export negotiations," Sung said. "However, Middle Eastern countries are pushing to strengthen their ground and air defense systems, and in step with that we are building long-term partnerships and are in talks, so the atmosphere is encouraging."
"Competitiveness of Financing and Industrial Cooperation Packages Matters"
He cited three factors as Hanwha Aerospace's distinctive global competitiveness.
"First, we have built a product lineup proven through combat and export, such as the K9, Chunmoo and Redback. Second, we have localization capabilities that go beyond simple exports to provide local production and technology cooperation together, as in Egypt," Sung explained. "Lastly, the integrated land, sea, air and space solutions offered through Hanwha's three defense affiliates provide both the strengthening of national defense capabilities and the fostering of domestic industry for client countries, which is a differentiated competitiveness."
However, he expressed hope that the government's active support would be further strengthened to pioneer the global market for K-defense.
"Results grow larger when there is backing for the parts that are difficult to solve through private companies' efforts alone — namely government-to-government (G2G) cooperation, policy financing and a consistent export support system," Sung said. "Since competitor countries move at the national level, support must be strengthened so that the private and public sectors can move as one team."
He particularly noted, "In large defense exports, the competitiveness of the financing and industrial cooperation package determines the export as much as the competitiveness of the weapons system. Since competitor countries actively utilize government-level financial support, it is important for us as well to strengthen cooperation with policy financing institutions."
On K-defense's standing as seen by the world, he assessed, "There is high trust in the fact that we provide a balanced package spanning quality, delivery timing, price and after-sales support. In particular, 'delivery reliability' — delivering the promised volume at the promised time — has boosted our reputation especially in the European market."
However, Sung said, "Rather than becoming complacent with our current standing, maintaining that trust through localization and the strengthening of government-level financing and industrial cooperation packages will be the task that can secure the continued growth of K-defense going forward."
According to Hanwha Aerospace, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regional headquarters (RHQ) opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September 2025. Centered on each region, it serves as a regional control tower overseeing existing businesses in countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt.
Linked to Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030," it plays a key role in creating an industrial ecosystem through military modernization and localization. Based on the integrated land, sea, air and space portfolio of Hanwha Group's three defense affiliates — Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean — it is expanding cooperation to other countries in the region.
