Eurosatory is one of the largest defense industry exhibitions in Europe, featuring over 2,100 companies from 70 countries this year. This marks Hyundai Wia's first participation in the event.
At the exhibition, Hyundai Wia unveiled a vehicle-mounted firepower system, notably the "lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer," which is mounted on a small tactical vehicle. This weapon reduces weight by more than half compared to the wheeled self-propelled howitzers currently in use by the South Korean military, enhancing mobility with a maximum range of 18 kilometers.
The system is designed to operate with a firing command vehicle and an ammunition transport vehicle, enabling rapid fire command and ammunition supply in battlefield conditions. It can also be deployed in areas difficult for vehicles to access through aerial transport using helicopters. Hyundai Wia developed this product through a rapid prototype project with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to expedite weapon system deployment.
The company also introduced its future weapon system, the Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS). The RCWS allows operators to monitor battlefield conditions via an indoor monitor and fire remotely. At the exhibition, Hyundai Wia displayed a small RCWS equipped with a widely used 7.62mm machine gun, providing visitors with the opportunity to operate the system and experience the aiming process. All RCWS units are equipped with AI-based automatic tracking algorithms for precise target detection and rapid identification.
Hyundai Wia also showcased mock-ups of the 120mm cannon used in the K2 tank and the 155mm cannon mounted on the K9 self-propelled howitzer. As the only domestic manufacturer of large-caliber artillery, the company plans to leverage its extensive experience and precision machining technology to penetrate the European market.
Additionally, the company unveiled a mobility component, the "2-speed ATC," which efficiently distributes driving power in off-road environments to provide optimal driving performance. This component is currently applied to the Kia pickup truck Tasman, used as a military command vehicle.
Hyundai Wia aims to expand its artillery system exports to the European market through this exhibition, particularly capitalizing on the active introduction of new weapon systems in countries like Poland and Romania to strengthen its sales efforts.
A Hyundai Wia representative stated, "We will showcase our defense technology, accumulated through the production of large-caliber artillery such as the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer, to actively pursue contracts in overseas markets."
Meanwhile, Hyundai Wia reported first-quarter revenues of 2.1793 trillion won and an operating profit of 51.6 billion won. Compared to the same period last year, revenues increased by 5.7% and operating profit rose by 6.2%. The defense and mobility solutions sector, which includes defense industry sales, generated 185.4 billion won, marking a 15.4% increase year-on-year, while operating profit surged by 47.8% to 20.1 billion won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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