(LEAD) Hyundai Rotem Q3 net down 10.3 pct to 178 bln won

SEOUL, October 19 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Rotem, a defense subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, announced Monday it will purchase Hyundai Wia's defense division for 358.4 billion won (USD 252 million) to bolster its weapons manufacturing capacity. According to a regulatory filing, Hyundai Rotem intends to acquire Hyundai Wia's business, which produces essential components for South Korea's K9 self-propelled howitzers and K2 main battle tanks.

The acquisition aims to enhance Hyundai Rotem's competitiveness in the global market by integrating more of its weapons production capabilities, especially for its flagship K2 tanks. In August 2025, Hyundai Rotem secured a $6.5 billion contract to supply K2 tanks to Poland, followed by a comprehensive agreement with Peru to deliver 195 ground weapons systems, including 54 K2 tanks, five months later.

For Hyundai Wia, the sale is part of a strategic restructuring to concentrate on future mobility technologies, including electric vehicles and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The company plans to utilize the proceeds from the sale to invest in new growth areas, such as constant velocity joints, thermal management systems, and robotics.

This deal underscores Hyundai Motor Group's strategy to streamline its businesses, enabling Hyundai Rotem to focus on defense manufacturing while Hyundai Wia prioritizes next-generation automotive technologies.