DMZ blast hits troops ahead of UNC inspection
South Korean troops hit by a suspected land mine explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone were clearing a route ahead of a planned United Nations Command inspection of terrain changes detected near the inter-Korean military demarcation line, the military said Tuesday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korean surveillance assets had detected changes to the terrain near the Military Demarcation Line, or MDL, on the western front, prompting Seoul to reques
Hanwha Aerospace to invest $2.2 billion to build ammunition hub in Arkansas
Hanwha Aerospace will invest US$2.2 billion (about 3 trillion South Korean won) in the U.S. over the next seven years to build a large-scale ammunition production hub, according to the defense company. The company's American subsidiary Hanwha Defense USA held an opening ceremony for its new office at Pine Bluff Arsenal, a U.S. Army installation in Arkansas, marking the first step toward building out the planned production base. Hanwha plans to manu
Six of 17 drone demos falter as Seoul rules out separate probe
South Korea's Defense Ministry said Thursday it does not plan a separate investigation into six drone demonstrations that went awry at a military-hosted technology event, leaving participating companies to determine what went wrong as questions mount over the reliability of systems intended for future battlefield use. Six of 17 demonstrations failed to go as planned during the inaugural 2026 Defense Drone Technology Exhibition held Wednesday at the Se
Hanwha, EDGE team up on integrated UAE air defense network
Hanwha Systems and the UAE’s EDGE Group have agreed to jointly develop an integrated air defense network for the UAE. Hanwha Systems said Thursday the two sides signed a term sheet at EDGE headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday outlining the direction of the project and a phased review of weapons systems that could be introduced. Hanwha Systems has supplied multifunction radars, while Hanwha Aerospace has provided launchers, canisters and missile
Defense nominee apologizes over martial law
Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul apologized Tuesday for the military’s role during the Dec. 3, 2024 martial law declaration, while signaling support for the government’s push to overhaul South Korea’s military academies. Speaking at his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, Kang said he felt a “deep sense of responsibility” as one of the military’s highest-ranking officers at the time and apologized to t
S. Korea, U.S. hold defense talks in Busan amid Hormuz pressure
South Korea and the United States will hold high-level defense talks in Busan this week amid growing pressure from Washington for a South Korean contribution to U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the defense ministry in Seoul Monday. The 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, or KIDD, will take place in the southeastern port city from Wednesday through Friday, the Ministry of National Defense said. Kim Hong-cheol, director gene
Chunmoo moves to the arms mainstream on the Balkan front
Croatia’s decision to buy 18 South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers on top of its earlier order of HIMARS from the United States reflects a broader recalibration in the Western Balkans, where military modernization has accelerated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Hanwha Aerospace signed a 411.8 million euro ($478 million) contract with the Croatian Ministry of Defence on Thursday to supply 18 Chunmoo launchers, ammunition carri
Hanwha Systems unveils space AI solution at Poland defense expo
Hanwha Systems has unveiled an artificial intelligence-powered satellite imagery analysis solution overseas for the first time, as the South Korean defense company seeks to expand its presence in the global space and defense markets. The company said Thursday it introduced its "Space AI Solution" at MSPO 2026, a major defense exhibition held in Kielce, Poland, on Wednesday. During the launch event, Hanwha demonstrated the system analyzing imager
U.S. bidder challenges Hanwha with higher offer for Austal USA
A U.S.-led investment group has emerged as a rival to Hanwha in the race for Austal USA, offering as much as $1.35 billion for the American shipbuilding business, above the South Korean defense group's earlier proposal. “Austal has received a non-binding indication of interest from a syndicate led by Wildcat Resources LLC” to acquire Austal USA, the Australian shipbuilder said in a filing to the Australian Securities Exchange on Wednesday.
S. Korea, US, Japan launch Freedom Edge without US carrier
South Korea, the United States and Japan began their annual Freedom Edge exercise Monday near Jeju Island, with the five-day multidomain drill set to run without a U.S. aircraft carrier for a second straight year. The five-day exercise, which runs through Sept. 11, involves major naval and air assets from the three countries, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Six warships, including Aegis destroyers, as well as maritime patrol aircraft, fig