Hanwha Aerospace secures $105 million modular charge contract with Sweden

Lee Boo-hwan left head of Hanwha Aerospaces precision-guided munitions business group shakes hands with Jonas Lotsne head of the army material division at Swedens Defense Materiel Administration after signing a second modular charge system export agreement in Washington Courtesy of Hanwha Aerospace — Lee Boo-hwan (left), head of Hanwha Aerospace's precision-guided munitions business group, shakes hands with Jonas Lotsne, head of the army material division at Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration, after signing a second modular charge system export agreement in Washington/ Courtesy of Hanwha Aerospace

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace has clinched a 150 billion won (around $105 million) deal to supply modular charge systems to Sweden, marking its second export agreement with the Nordic nation as global demand for artillery ammunition surges.

The defense contractor announced on Wednesday its signing of a three-year framework agreement and initial contract with Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) at the Association of the United States Army exhibition in Washington

Under the deal, Hanwha will deliver 155mm modular charge systems (MCS), also called modular artillery charge systems, to Sweden starting next year through 2027. The systems allow gunners to adjust propulsion based on firing range, offering greater operational flexibility than fixed charges.

Demand for 155mm artillery rounds and their propellant charges has soared globally amid intensifying conflicts, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Hanwha's MCS units meet NATO standard specifications, making them compatible with the South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer and various other artillery systems used by alliance members.

"This contract is a tangible result of the deep trust and collaborative partnership we have built with Sweden," said Lee Boo-hwan, head of Hanwha Aerospace's precision-guided munitions business group. "We are committed to delivering the highest quality, most reliable MCS to contribute meaningfully to the enhancement of Sweden's national defense capabilities."

Jonas Lotnse, head of the army material division at FMV, said the agreement would significantly advance the modernization of Swedish artillery forces.

Kim Dong-young davekim0807@ajupress.com