Hanwha explores autonomous navigation through partnership with US company SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Group is accelerating its expansion into the United States by teaming up with Havok AI, an American company specializing in autonomous navigation technology. Hanwha Solutions and Hanwha Ocean said Wednesday that they are exploring strategic cooperation with Havok AI in the development of unmanned maritime systems. On Tuesday, Havok AI’s chief executive, Paul Lewin, and his team visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, to review the company’s shipbuilding and maritime systems capabilities. During the visit, engineers conducted a live demonstration of remote vessel control — operating one of Havok AI’s unmanned surface vessels stationed off Hawaii directly from the Geoje facility. Hanwha sees the partnership as a key step toward entering the global unmanned maritime systems market, particularly in the United States. The move follows Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean’s expansion efforts last year, which included acquiring a shipyard in the Philadelphia. By combining Hanwha’s expertise in shipbuilding, defense systems, and platform integration with Havok AI’s autonomous navigation software, the companies aim to develop scalable unmanned solutions for both defense and commercial use — technologies that promise to improve operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. “By merging Hanwha’s maritime systems expertise with Havok AI’s autonomous capabilities, we can enhance the value of existing vessels and accelerate the deployment of next-generation unmanned systems,” Lewin said. Yoo Moon-ki, who leads Hanwha Systems’ maritime division, said the company intends to work closely with Havok AI “to penetrate the global maritime unmanned systems market” by leveraging Hanwha’s combat systems and integration know-how. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-29 09:37:01

KAI partners with Dutch aerospace institute on developing AI combat systems Participants pose for a photo at the KAI-NLR MOU signing ceremony. Courtesy of KAI SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre to collaborate on developing next-generation air combat technologies. The agreement seeks to combine the technical expertise and research infrastructure of both organizations to accelerate innovation in aerospace technology and strengthen preparedness for future battlefields, KAI said. The Netherlands Aerospace Centre, or NLR, is one of Europe’s leading aviation research institutions, known for its deep experience in aeronautics testing, systems evaluation, and next-generation flight technologies. Under the partnership, KAI and NLR plan to deepen cooperation in several key areas of future air combat systems — including mission autonomy, secure data links, and integrated technology demonstrations. KAI has been investing heavily in autonomous and AI-enabled defense systems, such as its manned-unmanned teaming programs MUCCA and SUCCA, as well as in the development of artificial intelligence pilots. The collaboration with NLR is expected to accelerate those projects and bolster KAI’s competitiveness in the aerospace sector. “This MOU marks a significant step forward in our long-term partnership built on trust,” said Kim Ji-hong, executive vice president of KAI’s Future Convergence Technology Institute. “Through this collaboration, KAI aims to evolve from a ‘fast follower’ to a ‘technology leader’ in next-generation aviation.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-22 15:22:20

Korean defense firms join forces to boost KF-21 fighter jet exports SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Tuesday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and LIG Nex1 to strengthen the export competitiveness of the KF-21 fighter jet, the country’s 4.5-generation aircraft. Under the agreement, the companies will cooperate to reduce production costs, stabilize supply chains, and jointly market the aircraft overseas. The collaboration also includes sharing technology and market intelligence to reinforce trust and coordination across the defense sector. The KF-21, developed as a cornerstone of South Korea’s ambitions to become a major defense exporter, is viewed as a major milestone in the nation’s aerospace industry. Its success in securing overseas buyers is seen as critical to sustaining the program and boosting the country’s standing in the global arms market, KAI said. Hanwha Aerospace specializes in aircraft engines and power systems, Hanwha Systems develops avionics and radar technologies, and LIG Nex1 produces guided weapons and electronic systems. KAI, which leads the KF-21 program, said the partnership will help “maximize global competitiveness and create export synergy.” “The KF-21 will benefit from strengthened networks with major domestic defense companies, paving the way for securing initial export customers and expanding overseas,” a KAI spokesperson said. “This collaboration is expected to enhance the competitiveness of South Korea’s aerospace defense industry and set a new benchmark for supply chain innovation.” The collaboration marks the latest in a series of government- and industry-led efforts to position the KF-21 as a viable alternative to Western-made jets, particularly in markets seeking advanced but cost-effective fighter options. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 17:14:49

Kia opens assembly plant in Kazakhstan to boost Central Asia presence SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Kia said on Tuesday that it has opened a new automobile assembly plant in Kostanay, Kazakhstan. Built with an investment of about $310 million, the facility spans 630,000 square meters and can produce up to 70,000 vehicles annually. The plant has begun assembling the Sorento SUV and plans to add production of the Sportage model in 2026. Kia said the new plant would serve as a hub for meeting rising regional demand and advancing localization efforts in the fast-growing Central Asian market. “The Kazakhstan plant is part of Kia’s global vision to create sustainable value through customer-centric innovation and electrification,” Kia President Song Ho-sung said in a statement. The company added that it plans to expand its model lineup based on local market trends and strengthen its supply chain in the region. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 15:25:30

South Korea's Hanwha Systems showcases high-resolution radar satellite SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Systems has revealed a new radar satellite that can capture extremely detailed images from space, marking a major step in South Korea’s space and defense ambitions. The company, along with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean, showcased the Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Ultra High Resolution (UHR) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite for the first time at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 in Ilsan, Monday. Operating at altitudes below 400 kilometers, the VLEO UHR SAR satellite can detect objects as small as 15 centimeters — like a cell phone or a water bottle — surpassing the resolution of current top-tier radar satellites. The breakthrough could transform how South Korea observes and gathers data from space. Hanwha Systems said it plans to expand beyond building satellites to offer satellite imaging services and AI-based image analysis. The company also displayed a range of advanced radars, including systems for the KF-21 fighter jet, unmanned combat aircraft, and Gray Eagle-STOL drone. In a joint effort with Italy’s Leonardo, Hanwha unveiled the GRIFO-EK radar for light combat aircraft, attracting strong interest from the defense sector. Hanwha also presented an AI-powered integrated air defense system that can identify and respond to threats at various altitudes and distances. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-20 14:29:24

KAI teams up with US defense firm to develop manned-unmanned aircraft systems SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Monday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a U.S. defense company known for its unmanned aerial systems, to collaborate on manned-unmanned teaming technology. The agreement seeks to establish a partnership in developing systems that integrate piloted aircraft with drones — known as manned-unmanned teaming, or MUM-T — for the domestic market, with an eye toward future expansion overseas. KAI has identified MUM-T platforms as one of its six next-generation growth areas. Earlier this year, the company unveiled KAILOT, an artificial intelligence pilot brand, as part of a broader push to advance autonomous flight technology. Kratos, based in San Diego, has built a reputation as a key player in the U.S. defense sector, producing systems such as the XQ-58 Valkyrie and BQM-167 aerial target drones. Over the past decades, the company has supplied high-performance drones for the U.S. military and recently achieved milestones in collaborative combat aircraft and MUM-T operations. The partnership comes as South Korea seeks to merge artificial intelligence and autonomous flight into its next generation of combat systems. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-20 14:16:07

Hanwha to unveil next-generation AI weapons at ADEX 2025 SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Group plans to unveil a suite of AI-driven defense systems designed to address manpower shortages and enhance battlefield efficiency. The group said Thursday Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean will jointly participate in the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, to be held Oct. 20–24 at KINTEX in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul. The companies plan to showcase more than 10 thematic zones centered around a “space zone,” underscoring Hanwha’s commitment to AI integration across land, sea, air, and space technologies. Among the highlights will be the debut of the Loitering Precision Guided Weapon (L-PGW), a next-generation system that combines the capabilities of a missile and a drone. Designed as a future export model, the L-PGW can be launched from Hanwha’s Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher and uses AI to locate, track, and engage targets via satellite link before deploying a self-destructing drone on impact. The company will also introduce the Themis-K, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) tailored for the Korean military and built on a platform developed by Estonia’s Milrem Robotics. The vehicle, equipped with Hanwha Aerospace’s remote-controlled weapon system, will appear alongside smaller UGVs such as the Arion-SMET and Grunt models. Another exhibit will feature the evolution of Hanwha’s signature K9 self-propelled howitzer — from the semi-automated K9A2, which reduces crew needs from five to three, to the fully unmanned K9A3, capable of autonomous maneuvering in coordinated formations under a single command vehicle. At sea, Hanwha Ocean will showcase a next-generation “strategic surface ship” equipped with AI-based threat detection, while Hanwha Systems will present a “Smart Battleship” that integrates combat, engine control, and bridge operations through AI-assisted target recognition and engagement management. In the space zone, Hanwha Systems will display the Nuri rocket, slated for its fourth launch, alongside a 0.15-meter ultra-high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. The company said that combining AI with satellite imaging will dramatically enhance surveillance and target identification capabilities. Hanwha will also outline its long-term vision for “Defense Sovereign AI” — a Korean-developed AI framework for secure defense applications. Working with domestic IT firms and small and midsize enterprises, Hanwha aims to build an integrated system linking detection, command, and strike capabilities based on Korean defense data and infrastructure. “In a rapidly changing security environment, we aim to contribute to self-reliant defense with cutting-edge AI technology,” Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, said in a press release. “Together with our partners, we hope to build a competitive domestic defense ecosystem that serves as a growth engine for the future.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-16 11:11:32

South Korean firm unveils first images from UAE-built radar satellite SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s Satrec Initiative on Tuesday released the first images captured by Etihad-SAT, a synthetic aperture radar satellite developed in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates. The satellite, which operates on X-band electromagnetic waves, is capable of producing high-resolution images of Earth regardless of weather or lighting conditions — a key advantage of radar-based observation systems. Etihad-SAT was launched on March 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Equipped with a slot array waveguide antenna, the satellite can control its radar beam with precision without relying on complex mechanical movements. The design enables stable imaging with a resolution of 25 centimeters and an observation swath exceeding 100 kilometers, according to the company. Kim I-eul, chief executive of Satrec Initiative, said the release of the images marks an important milestone in the company’s radar satellite development. “We have secured a foundation for independent technology in the high-resolution SAR satellite sector, building on our expertise in optical satellite development,” Kim said. “We aim to contribute to the growth of the global space industry with our unique technology and flexible business models.” The Etihad-SAT project reflects a growing collaboration between South Korea and the United Arab Emirates in space technology, combining Seoul’s manufacturing and engineering expertise with the UAE’s expanding ambitions in Earth observation and national space capabilities. Synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, satellites can penetrate cloud cover and operate day and night, making them vital tools for defense, agriculture, disaster monitoring and urban planning. Satrec Initiative said combining radar and optical imaging technologies could further enhance global Earth observation systems and expand the commercial applications of satellite data. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-14 11:00:53

ASEAN students receive scholarships from Chung Mong-Koo Foundation SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation of South Korea has awarded scholarships to 13 students from across Southeast Asia, the latest recipients in a program that has supported hundreds of young scholars since its creation in 2012. At a ceremony held Sept. 27 in central Seoul, the foundation announced that the new recipients — from Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines — will begin graduate and undergraduate studies in 2026 at some of South Korea’s most prestigious universities, including Seoul National University, Korea University and KAIST. The scholarships, covering full tuition and living expenses, reflect Hyundai Motor Group honorary chairman Chung Mong-koo’s philosophy of investing in talent. Each student receives not only tuition but also an annual study grant of 14.4 million won (about $10,500), along with settlement and graduation stipends. Additional funds are available for research and academic conferences. Since 2011, the foundation has provided financial support to more than 240 international students from eight ASEAN countries, in addition to Korean students, with total funding reaching 140 billion won. On average, each recipient receives about 57 million won over the course of their studies. Beyond financial aid, the program fosters networking and academic growth through summer camps, seminars and collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Social Development. Graduates become part of the Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship Fellows community, maintaining ties across borders. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-29 11:15:20

LIG Nex1 signs pact with Airbus to bolster air defense cooperation SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korean defense firm LIG Nex1 said Tuesday it had signed an agreement with Airbus Defense and Space to expand collaboration on integrated air defense systems. The agreement, finalized on Sept. 22 at LIG Nex1’s headquarters in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, builds on an earlier pact signed during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in 2023. Company officials said the latest deal aims to strengthen research in integrated air defense at home while boosting export projects in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where demand for advanced missile defense systems has been rising. Airbus Defense and Space, based in France, is one of Europe’s leading defense contractors, with expertise in aerospace technologies and military equipment. LIG Nex1, meanwhile, has positioned itself as South Korea’s only defense manufacturer with a full spectrum of experience in air defense systems, from the medium-range Cheongung interceptor to the long-range L-SAM, a system often compared to the U.S.-made THAAD. “With the rise of complex threats such as drones, ballistic missiles and long-range rockets, the need for a multi-layered, network-based integrated air defense system is growing,” LIG Nex1 said in a press release. “We hope this partnership will advance Korea’s capabilities while opening new opportunities in overseas markets.” South Korea has recently struck multibillion-dollar arms agreements with Poland and other nations, positioning itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing defense suppliers amid heightened global demand. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-23 16:20:57