Hanwha chair calls for stronger defense AI capabilities

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn visited Hanwha Systems’ Gumi plant in North Gyeongsang Province on Tuesday and called for stronger defense AI capabilities. He reviewed production and testing of advanced defense equipment, including the Cheongung-II multifunction radar and an AI-based integrated air defense system under development. Kim also stressed workplace safety and described Hanwha Systems as the group’s brain and neural network for defense.

The Cheongung-II multifunction radar detects and tracks aircraft and missiles, identifies targets and guides interceptor missiles.

The radar has been exported to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Hanwha Systems’ Gumi facility was expanded last year with an investment of about 280 billion won and now covers 89,000 square meters.

Hanwha Defense USA plans to invest $2.2 billion over seven years to build an advanced munitions manufacturing campus at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas.

The Arkansas project is expected to create nearly 400 jobs and produce 155-millimeter propellant charges and base bleed units.

Published Sep 22, 2026 3:22 pm KST

Updated Sep 22, 2026 3:24 pm KST

Group also unveils $2.2 billion US munitions investment

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, center, and Hanwha Group Executive Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, right, inspect the assembly and testing of a multifunction radar for the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) system in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hanwha Group

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn has urged Hanwha Systems, the group’s IT solutions arm, to strengthen its defense artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities as the conglomerate seeks to use AI-based command-and-control systems to connect its land, sea, air and space defense systems.

Kim visited Hanwha Systems’ Gumi plant in North Gyeongsang Province on Tuesday to review its production and testing capabilities for advanced defense equipment and emphasize the need to secure “unparalleled defense AI capabilities” and uphold a “safety-first” culture.

At the site, he inspected the assembly and testing of the multifunction radar for the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) system. The radar detects and tracks aircraft and missiles, identifies targets and guides interceptor missiles. It has been exported to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

“The Gumi facility has grown into a key export hub for Hanwha’s defense business as it expands into global markets, as well as a center for technological innovation,” the chairman said.

“What you make is more than just equipment or software. It is the force that connects and drives Hanwha’s defense capabilities and the foundation of Korea’s national security.”

Kim reviewed an AI-based integrated air defense system under development that links radar and electro-optical sensors with anti-aircraft guns and guided weapons to enable rapid responses to multiple threats.

He visited a large near-field antenna test range used to measure radar antenna performance, including for the Cheongung-II missile system and the KF-21 fighter jet.

Hanwha Systems is developing AI-based naval combat systems, automated engagement and autonomous navigation technologies.

Kim described Hanwha Systems as the “brain and neural network” of the group’s defense business, connecting key land, sea, air and space systems developed by its affiliates Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean.

“AI is the key factor determining the competitiveness of Hanwha Group’s defense business, and Hanwha Systems is playing the central role,” Kim said.

He stressed workplace safety, urging employees to look after not only their own safety but also that of their colleagues and subcontractors.

Hanwha Systems’ Gumi facility, a major hub for radar, electro-optical systems and naval combat systems, was expanded last year with an investment of about 280 billion won ($206.6 million). The expanded site covers 89,000 square meters.

Hanwha Aerospace CEO Lee Boo-hwan, second from left, Hanwha Defense USA CEO Michael Coulter, second from right, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, fifth from left, and other Arkansas state officials cut a ribbon during a ceremony marking the opening of Hanwha Aerospace’s office at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas, Monday (local time). Courtesy of Hanwha Aerospace

Meanwhile, Hanwha Defense USA said Monday (local time) it will invest $2.2 billion over seven years to build an advanced munitions manufacturing campus at Pine Bluff Arsenal, a U.S. Army installation in Arkansas. The project is expected to create nearly 400 jobs and expand the company’s production capabilities in the United States.

Hanwha executives joined state and local officials to mark the opening of the company’s new administrative headquarters at Pine Bluff Arsenal. The office will oversee local operations and serve as the first step toward establishing the Hanwha Advanced Manufacturing Campus.

The facility will produce 155-millimeter propellant charges and base bleed units, establishing domestic manufacturing capabilities across key stages of munitions production. Hanwha said the project will help increase U.S. production capacity and modernize the country’s munitions industrial base.

“Hanwha remains committed to supporting the American defense industrial base by bringing our manufacturing strength to the U.S. and creating up to 400 jobs in Arkansas,” Hanwha Defense USA CEO Michael Coulter said.

“By opening our new office in Pine Bluff that will oversee local operations, Hanwha plans to invest around $2.2 billion in our new Advanced Manufacturing Campus that will transform the domestic munitions industrial base and further strengthen America’s arsenal of freedom.”

The project has received support from the U.S. Army and Arkansas officials.

“The eventual lease will create revenue for the Army, bring in new jobs for the local community, and enhance our organic industrial base,” said Jordan Gillis, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the investment would boost local economies and create hundreds of jobs, while U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton said it would expand critical munitions production and strengthen national security.

韩华集团会长金承渊周二视察了位于庆尚北道龟尾市的韩华系统公司工厂，并呼吁加强国防人工智能能力。他考察了包括“天宫二号”多功能雷达和正在研发中的人工智能综合防空系统在内的先进国防装备的生产和测试情况。金承渊还强调了工作场所安全，并将韩华系统公司比作集团的“大脑”和国防神经网络。

天宫二型多功能雷达能够探测和跟踪飞机和导弹，识别目标并引导拦截导弹。

该雷达已出口到阿拉伯联合酋长国、沙特阿拉伯和伊拉克。

韩华系统公司位于龟尾的工厂去年进行了扩建，投资额约为2800亿韩元，目前占地89000平方米。

韩华防务美国公司计划在七年内投资 22 亿美元，在阿肯色州派恩布拉夫兵工厂建造一座先进的弹药制造园区。

阿肯色州项目预计将创造近 400 个就业岗位，并生产 155 毫米推进剂装药和底部泄放装置。

发布于2026年9月22日下午3:22（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年9月22日下午3:24（韩国标准时间）

该集团还公布了22亿美元的美国军火投资计划。

周二，韩华集团会长金承渊（中）和韩华集团执行副会长金东宽（右）在庆尚北道龟尾市视察了“天宫-II”中程地空导弹系统多功能雷达的组装和测试情况。图片由韩华集团提供。

韩华集团董事长金承渊敦促集团旗下IT解决方案部门韩华系统公司加强其国防人工智能（AI）能力，因为该集团正寻求使用基于人工智能的指挥控制系统来连接其陆地、海洋、空中和太空防御系统。

周二，金正恩视察了位于庆尚北道的韩华系统龟尾工厂，考察了该厂先进国防装备的生产和测试能力，并强调了确保“无与伦比的国防人工智能能力”和坚持“安全第一”文化的必要性。

在现场，他视察了“天宫-II”中程地空导弹系统多功能雷达的组装和测试情况。该雷达能够探测和跟踪飞机及导弹，识别目标并引导拦截导弹。目前已出口到阿联酋、沙特阿拉伯和伊拉克。

“随着韩华国防业务拓展至全球市场，龟尾工厂已发展成为其重要的出口枢纽，同时也是技术创新中心，”董事长表示。

“你们制造的不仅仅是设备或软件，更是连接和驱动韩华国防能力的动力，也是韩国国家安全的基石。”

金正恩视察了正在研发中的基于人工智能的综合防空系统，该系统将雷达和光电传感器与防空炮和制导武器连接起来，能够对多种威胁做出快速反应。

他参观了一个大型近场天线测试场，该测试场用于测量雷达天线的性能，包括用于天宫二号导弹系统和KF-21战斗机的雷达天线性能。

韩华系统公司正在开发基于人工智能的海军作战系统、自动交战和自主导航技术。

金将韩华系统公司描述为集团国防业务的“大脑和神经网络”，连接着其附属公司韩华航空航天公司和韩华海洋公司开发的关键陆地、海洋、空中和太空系统。

金表示：“人工智能是决定韩华集团国防业务竞争力的关键因素，而韩华系统公司在其中扮演着核心角色。”

他强调工作场所安全，敦促员工不仅要照顾好自己的安全，还要照顾好同事和分包商的安全。

韩华系统公司位于龟尾的工厂是雷达、光电系统和海军作战系统的重要枢纽，去年进行了扩建，投资额约为2800亿韩元（约合2.066亿美元）。扩建后的厂区占地8.9万平方米。

周一（当地时间），韩华航空航天公司首席执行官李富焕（左二）、韩华防务美国公司首席执行官迈克尔·库尔特（右二）、阿肯色州州长萨拉·赫卡比·桑德斯（左五）及其他阿肯色州官员在阿肯色州派恩布拉夫兵工厂举行的韩华航空航天公司新办公室开业仪式上剪彩。图片由韩华航空航天公司提供。

与此同时，韩华防务美国公司周一（当地时间）宣布，将在未来七年投资22亿美元，在位于阿肯色州的美国陆军基地派恩布拉夫兵工厂建设一座先进弹药制造园区。该项目预计将创造近400个就业岗位，并扩大该公司在美国的生产能力。

韩华集团高管与州政府和地方官员共同出席了公司位于派恩布拉夫兵工厂的新行政总部大楼的落成典礼。该办公室将负责当地的业务运营，并作为韩华先进制造园区建设的第一步。

该工厂将生产155毫米推进剂装药和底部泄放装置，从而在弹药生产的关键环节建立起国内制造能力。韩华表示，该项目将有助于提高美国的弹药生产能力，并实现该国弹药工业基础的现代化。

“韩华将继续致力于支持美国国防工业基础，将我们的制造实力带到美国，并在阿肯色州创造多达 400 个就业岗位，”韩华防务美国公司首席执行官迈克尔·库尔特表示。

“通过在派恩布拉夫开设负责当地运营的新办事处，韩华计划投资约 22 亿美元建设新的先进制造园区，这将改变美国国内的军火工业基础，并进一步加强美国的自由武器库。”

该项目已获得美国陆军和阿肯色州官员的支持。

“最终的租赁协议将为陆军创造收入，为当地社区带来新的就业机会，并增强我们的本土工业基础，”陆军设施、能源和环境助理部长乔丹·吉利斯说。

阿肯色州州长萨拉·赫卡比·桑德斯表示，这项投资将促进当地经济发展并创造数百个就业岗位；而美国参议员汤姆·科顿则表示，这项投资将扩大关键军需品的生产，并加强国家安全。