Kim Seung-yeon, chairman of Hanwha Group, identified artificial intelligence (AI) as the core competitive edge for future defense capabilities and emphasized the need to secure unparalleled 'Defense AI' capabilities. His vision aims to enhance the group's defense competitiveness by integrating the land, sea, air, and space strengths of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean with Hanwha Systems' AI command and control systems.
On September 22, Hanwha Group announced that Kim visited the Hanwha Systems facility in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, to review the current operations and advanced defense product production systems. He was accompanied by key executives, including Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, and Yang Gi-won, CEO of Hanwha Systems.
This visit marks Kim's second on-site management effort this year, following his trip to the Jeju Space Center in January, where he assessed the competitiveness of the private space industry. This time, he focused on the AI-based future defense capabilities at the Gumi facility, a production and technology hub for K-defense.
During his visit, Kim stated, "The key to Hanwha Group's defense competitiveness lies in AI, with Hanwha Systems playing a central role. By connecting the core capabilities of land, sea, air, and space developed by Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean through an AI command and control system, Hanwha Systems serves as the brain and nervous system of Hanwha Defense." He added, "I believe Hanwha Systems is at the center of AI and system integration for our defense sector, and I hope it continues to develop unique Defense AI capabilities that cannot be replaced by anyone."
Kim also toured the assembly and testing area for the multifunction radar (MFR), a key sensor for the mid-range surface-to-air missile system, Cheongung-II, which Hanwha Systems exports to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.
He inspected an AI-based integrated air defense system currently under development by Hanwha Systems, which connects various surveillance systems, including radar and electro-optical sensors, with anti-aircraft artillery and guided missiles to support rapid decision-making and response to complex threats.
Additionally, Kim visited a large close-combat test site to review the testing and verification capabilities of the Cheongung multifunction radar and the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to be mounted on the Korean fighter jet KF-21. In the maritime sector, he examined the cockpit-type integrated bridge system (IBS) developed by Hanwha Systems, the first of its kind in South Korea.
Hanwha Systems has been developing AI-based intelligent combat systems, automated engagement, autonomous navigation, and unmanned and manned combined operation technologies based on over 40 years of accumulated combat management system (CMS) expertise.
Kim reiterated the importance of safety to employees, stating, "Great achievements start with safety. There is no future without safety. The mindset of carefully considering not only my safety but also the safety of colleagues and partners must become a daily practice at the Gumi facility."
In the guestbook at the Gumi facility, Kim wrote, "The starting point of K-defense AI innovation, Hanwha Systems is creating the future of South Korea's self-defense."
The Gumi facility serves as a key production base for radar, electro-optics, and combat systems. In December of last year, Hanwha Systems completed a new facility, investing approximately 280 billion won, which is more than double the previous size at 89,000 square meters. It also established advanced production and testing facilities, including the largest clean room in the domestic defense industry, covering about 1,500 pyeong.
Exports are also expanding. The Cheongung-II multifunction radar is supplied to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, while the domestically developed combat management system has been provided to 15 vessels of the Philippine Navy. Hanwha Systems plans to continue strengthening its defense AI and system integration competitiveness to lead future battlefields.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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