U.S. Army Acquisition Chief Visits Hanwha Changwon Facility

U.S. Army Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Brent G. Ingraham visited Hanwha Aerospace's Changwon facility on August 26 to assess production capabilities for ground weapon systems like self-propelled howitzers and multi-purpose rockets. During the tour, the delegation witnessed the K9 self-propelled howitzer (K9MH) production line in action, marveling at automated processes such as robotic welding that facilitate high-quality and mass production.

Following the tour, they witnessed a mobility demonstration of the K9MH and K9A1 and inspected the Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The visit aimed to explore partnerships between the US Army's modernization initiatives and Hanwha's manufacturing prowess.

Hanwha Aerospace is actively seeking to bolster its defense industry supply chain in the United States, and this visit aligns with their efforts to solidify local production strategies. Leveraging the K9MH plant's proven mass production expertise from global projects in Poland, Australia, and Egypt, Hanwha aims to enhance the U.S. defense industry base and bolster deterrence capabilities, as emphasized by Hanwha Defense USA CEO Michael Coulter.

Coulter highlighted the significance of defense cooperation as a cornerstone of the ROK-US alliance, which has endured for over seven decades.

The company intends to expedite the local production of the K9MH in alignment with US Army demands. Specifically, Hanwha plans to establish HDUSA's assembly and testing facility in Opelika, Alabama, as the cornerstone of the U.S. self-propelled howitzer production network. The company intends to roll out further localization steps in phases to accommodate forthcoming volume expansions.