South Korea Woos US Market At AUSA 2025

MORE than a dozen South Korean defence firms showcased their range of materiel and solutions at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) 2025 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, hoping to enhance the country’s presence in the US market.

With the Korean Pavilion, major players such as Hanwha Aerospace, Poongsan and more were among 780 companies which took part in the event which attracted over 44,000 participants and delegates from 92 nations. South Korea aimed to capitalise on the US’ desire to leverage the industrial capacities of its allies in order to bolster its defence industrial supply chains.

Hanwha Defense USA and the parent company Hanwha Aerospace showcased its 155mm K9A1 self-propelled howitzer and unveiled its next-generation K9A2 concept. Aside from that, the company displayed armoured vehicles, multiple rocket launcher systems, ordnance as well as counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS) systems.

The company’s K9 Thunder supplies extended-range firepower with rapid-fire capability that is engineered to integrate with U.S. command and control systems and munitions. The K9’s modular design supports U.S. customisation with unmatched integrated logistical support. It has also been adopted by more than a dozen U.S. allies, including more than a half dozen NATO members, many on the eastern flank.

A Hanwha press release stated “The company is announcing the availability for the US market of Hanwha’s wheeled K9 variant, now in production, that leverages proven K9 turret technology on an 8×8 truck platform, is designed for a fully automated firing sequence and is paired with a wheeled resupply solution using K10-derived technology. With this expansion into wheeled platforms and under a common gun system (CGS), the US Army has the latitude to procure a mixed fleet of howitzers without the burden of needing multiple sustainment, training or logistical options. Simply put, the CGS resolves the decision between wheels or tracks by supporting both.”

“Hanwha Defense USA combines proven artillery and munitions technology with disciplined, repeatable execution, which is precisely what the Army demands as it accelerates force modernisation,” said President and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA Mike Smith. “We are ready to rapidly adapt to US requirements, integrate with existing command-and-control systems and move quickly with strong US-based industry partnerships to strengthen America’s readiness.”

“Though there are a number of critical elements, two things matter most—first, delivering proven operational firepower that shapes the battlespace and second, the enablement of scaled-production using mature, advanced manufacturing processes. Accelerating the Army’s transformation into an even more lethal force is the decisive advantage that Hanwha is uniquely positioned to deliver’, Smith added.

Hanwha’s approach centres on technology transfers along with co-development and US manufacturing with primes and suppliers that will accelerate both prototyping and production while establishing a resilient US supply chain and expanding allied interoperability. The company will also highlight partnership opportunities that strengthen the US munitions industrial base, including local production of 155 mm modular charge systems (MACS), solid rocket motors (SRM), base bleed units (BBU), ammonium perchlorate (AP), propellants and other critical components, thus improving capacity, resilience and speed to field.

Hanwha also signed a co-development and production agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the Gray Eagle STOL (short takeoff and landing) UAS, marking a new step forward in US–Korea cooperation on next-generation unmanned systems. Furthermore, the company signed a three-year framework agreement with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the supply of Modular Charge Systems (MCS), strengthening Europe’s ammunition supply resilience and Hanwha’s role in the Nordic defence ecosystem.

Earlier this month, North Korea held its third consecutive defence exhibition–Defence Development 2025 in Pyongyang, with supreme leader Kim Jong-un describing it as “the results of the country’s projects to modernise and advance its military capabilities” according to state media.

“We are closely watching the US’ deployment of its means of strategic strike and reconnaissance … and the mobilization for hostile acts in connection with a new possible threat to our state’s security,” the North Korean leader said.

Next week, South Korea will open the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2025 (ADEX) in Goyang, northwest of Seoul.-–shp/adj/dl (Pix:HANWHA)