Hanwha is set to participate in the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, unveiling a new paradigm in defense technology to address evolving security challenges. The company aims to bolster self-reliance in national defense and foster a robust domestic defense industry ecosystem by introducing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI)-powered weapon systems. These innovations are designed to counter the impact of declining military personnel due to demographic shifts and to prepare for future combat scenarios.
Hanwha’s defense trio – Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean – announced on Thursday their participation in ADEX 2025, scheduled for October 20–24 at Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
The three companies will operate a joint exhibition space spanning an unprecedented 1,960 square meters (about 21,097 square feet). The display area, shaped like a capital A to symbolize AI, will feature ten distinct zones centered around a Space Zone.
Each zone will showcase an array of AI-integrated products. The PGM zone will debut Hanwha’s next-generation export contender, the Loitering Precision Guided Weapon (L-PGW). This key component of the future Chunmoo 3.0 multiple rocket launcher system incorporates a kamikaze drone into the 80 km (about 50 miles) range Chunmoo rocket. The L-PGW, launched from a Chunmoo platform, employs AI for target reconnaissance and detection, relaying data via satellite link before deploying its kamikaze drone for precision strikes.
The MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) zone will introduce the Korean-adapted tracked Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) THeMIS-K, alongside smaller UGVs such as the Arion-SMET and GRUNT. THeMIS-K, tailored for the Korean battlespace, combines the tracked platform from Europe’s leading unmanned vehicle firm, Milrem Robotics, with Hanwha Aerospace’s Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS). Hanwha Aerospace is also collaborating with Milrem Robotics on a medium-sized tracked UGV.
The K9 Solution zone will outline the evolution of the K9 self-propelled howitzer into the K9A3, the world’s first manned-unmanned hybrid artillery system. The K9A2 will feature an automated turret, reducing crew requirements from five to three, while the K9A3 will be fully unmanned. AI integration will enable autonomous operation of up to three units under the command of a single fire control vehicle.
In the Naval zone, Hanwha Ocean will showcase a next-generation strategic surface combatant capable of swift, AI-driven responses to various threats. Hanwha Systems will present the world’s first smart battleship, integrating a Combat Management System (CMS), an Integrated Machinery Control System (ECS), and an Integrated Bridge System (IBS). This revolutionary vessel will leverage AI-based automatic target recognition and engagement management for optimal mission execution.
Hanwha Systems will also exhibit technologies enhancing independent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Space Zone will feature the Nuri rocket, poised for its fourth launch, alongside a world-class 0.15-meter (about 5.9 inches) resolution ultra-high-resolution (UHR) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. The fusion of satellite solutions with AI-powered image analysis promises to dramatically boost threat detection capabilities. The Communication Zone will showcase next-generation tactical communication systems and C2 (Command & Control) solutions, offering a glimpse into future command and control paradigms.
At ADEX 2025, Hanwha will also unveil its vision for Defense Sovereign AI technology, which will serve as the neural network connecting its advanced weapon systems. The company plans to develop a uniquely Korean AI model through partnerships with domestic information technology (IT) firms and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), prioritizing security in the defense sector. By leveraging Korea’s defense data, infrastructure, and expertise, Hanwha aims to create an integrated advanced weapon system covering detection, command and control, and engagement, thereby enhancing national defense capabilities.
Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, emphasized that in light of the rapidly evolving security landscape surrounding South Korea, they are committed to strengthening national defense through state-of-the-art AI technology. By fostering a competitive domestic defense ecosystem in collaboration with its partners, it aims to cultivate this sector as a key driver of future growth.