Partnership with Poland, joint missile production and future technologies
This year’s International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce was for Hanwha Aerospace a demonstration of its mature partnership with Poland and a plan for the next phase of cooperation: the establishment of local production capacities, strengthening of research and development facilities, and the development of workforce competencies. Together with the other defense pillars of the Hanwha Group – Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems – we presented solutions for the land, sea, air, and space domains, with the booth featuring technologies already proven in Poland (K9 and Homar-K) as well as those introducing a true qualitative leap, from the K9A2 to satellite and naval systems.
Breakthrough agreement on a joint missile factory
The most important event on the opening day of the exhibition was the signing of a landmark agreement between Hanwha Aerospace and WB Group to establish a Polish-Korean joint venture that will launch missile production in Poland. The plant will produce CGR-080 guided missiles (with a range of 80 km) for the Homar-K, localized in cooperation with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A., which is the equivalent of Korea’s Chunmoo. The agreement covers technology transfer, certified quality systems, and comprehensive personnel training, with target capabilities to be achieved before the end of 2028.
In addition to the signatories – Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, and Piotr Wojciechowski, President of WB Group – the ceremony was attended by: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Minister and Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence Paweł Bejda, Head of the Armament Agency Brig. Gen. PhD. Artur Kuptel, and, from the Republic of Korea, Vice Minister of Defence Hyunki Cho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Poland Junyoul Tae, Vice Minister Guckcheol Bang from DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration), and President Sangbum Shin from DTaQ (Defense Agency for Technology and Quality).
“This is undoubtedly the most important event of this year’s MSPO. We are acquiring the capability to produce missiles for the HOMAR-K launchers – this is a historic moment. We are becoming increasingly independent in industrial terms. We are not only buying weapons but also bringing their production to Poland,” said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during today’s ceremony.
Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, added:
“This partnership will enable the production in Poland of missiles for the Chunmoo system – known here as HOMAR-K – localized in cooperation with the Polish defense industry and introduced into service with the Polish Armed Forces. The joint venture will create opportunities for co-developing new-generation munitions, meeting Poland’s needs while also building export capabilities to allied nations. This is a real investment in Poland – in people, technology, and Europe’s security.”
Piotr Wojciechowski, President of WB Group, said:
“Building a plant producing rocket ammunition is a very serious investment – the first of its kind in Poland. Its goal is to increase security, because the missiles will be produced domestically. The ammunition will be manufactured entirely in Poland, with the involvement not only of WB Group but also numerous local entities acting as subcontractors.”
The signing of this agreement is a step of strategic importance for Poland’s security, supply resilience in the region, the robustness of Europe’s supply chain, and NATO interoperability.
Partnerships with Polish scientific and research institutions
During the exhibition, we also signed two important framework agreements in the field of science and research.
- Cooperation with the Military University of Technology – combining the potential of science and industry
- On 2 September, Hanwha Aerospace and the Military University of Technology (WAT) signed an agreement covering joint R&D, development of defense technologies, and academic exchange. WAT – one of the most prestigious military-technical universities in Europe, with a strong position in research on modern weapon systems – has for decades educated command and engineering cadres that set the direction of development for the Polish Army. Partnering with such a renowned institution demonstrates that Hanwha Aerospace is perceived in Poland not only as a supplier of equipment but also as an entity capable of co-creating a modern research and development base.
- Thanks to the synergy of academic and technological experience, both sides plan joint initiatives aimed at building innovative defense solutions – first and foremost for land platforms, which are so vital in the context of Poland’s security. The partnership with WAT strengthens Hanwha Aerospace’s role as a long-term actor in the security ecosystem while also creating conditions for projects that could become a hallmark of Polish–Korean cooperation internationally.
- Strategic partnership with the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU)
- On 4 September, Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Aerospace Europe, and WITU agreed to cooperate in the ammunition domain – from design and testing, through production oversight and aging studies, to qualification of 155 mm ammunition with platforms operated by the Polish Armed Forces, as well as personnel exchange and research-implementation programs.
- WITU is one of Poland’s key research centers, which for years has been setting directions in ammunition technology development and supporting the military in assessing new weapon solutions. Partnering with such a specialized institute strengthens Hanwha Aerospace’s position as a reliable supplier and co-creator of innovation while also paving the way for building long-term competencies in Poland in the most demanding areas of defense technology.
International technology initiatives
The second day of the exhibition brought two further significant achievements from Hanwha Aerospace’s perspective.
- We signed a tripartite agreement with Nortal and SensusQ on the joint development of a Battle Management System (BMS) for the AS21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The ceremony was attended by Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, whose presence and interest in the project confirmed its international significance.
- We signed an MoU with Swedish company Saab, opening the way to integrate the GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) with the Chunmoo system. This forms the foundation for precision strike capability at ranges beyond 150 km – a key element for deterrence, operational flexibility, and allied interoperability.
Presentation of land, naval, and space technologies
On the land side, highlights included Chunmoo rocket ammunition, the K9A2 howitzer with a fully automated loading system, and the concept of the next-generation infantry fighting vehicle (KN-IFV), tailored to the Polish Armed Forces’ future operational requirements. Both platforms offer broad opportunities for further localization and industrial cooperation, including through the planned joint venture with WB Group as a local production and development hub. Fully operational, fielded systems – the Homar-K and K9 howitzer – were also displayed outside the exhibition halls as part of the Polish Armed Forces’ exhibition.
In the naval domain, Hanwha Ocean presented its proposal for the “Orka” program, centered on the KSS-III Batch-II submarine (3,000 tons, AIP and lithium-ion batteries, already in service with the ROK Navy), as well as an export OPV (2,000 tons) and a 500-ton unmanned vessel for ASW and mine countermeasures. The offer includes maximum involvement of Polish shipyards and technology transfer.
Hanwha Systems presented a small SAR satellite (providing reconnaissance in all conditions, 24/7) and an Active Protection System (APS), offering know-how transfer and integration with current and future Polish platforms.
Support for veterans and social responsibility
MSPO was also an opportunity for tangible social and educational initiatives. On 2 September, Hanwha Aerospace Europe donated PLN 100,000 to the Association of the Wounded and Injured in Missions Abroad. The symbolic cheque was handed to the Association’s President, Tomasz Kloc, by Jacek Cyrek, President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, who emphasized the long-term commitment to real support for Polish veterans.
Jacek Cyrek said:
“For the entire Hanwha Aerospace Europe team, it is a great honor that we can in such a symbolic way express our respect and solidarity with soldiers who have borne the greatest cost of service – both physical and emotional – during missions abroad. Veterans deserve lasting care and respect – not only symbolic but also real. We treat our support for the Association as a long-term commitment and an element of building a culture of solidarity, which we want to co-create in Poland. We feel obliged to support not only the industrial dimension of Poland’s security but also the people who built that security, who fought for it, risking their own health and lives.”
Media Afternoon
Following the veterans’ donation, Hanwha hosted a “Media Afternoon” at its booth, consisting of guided tours of our multi-domain display with opportunities for direct conversations with representatives and experts of Hanwha’s key companies. In the second part of this dedicated media event, a press dinner was held in downtown Kielce – a continuation of Hanwha’s structured dialogue with Poland’s leading defense media.
Educational program with the Land Forces Academy – Hanwha Global Challenger Project
On 3 September, Hanwha Group, together with the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces in Wrocław, inaugurated the “Hanwha Global Challenger Project” worth PLN 1.2 million. The initiative will run until July 2026 and will cover nearly 2,900 students and staff. Its three pillars are: equipping the university with modern educational infrastructure (including two hybrid multimedia auditoriums), training programs and study visits to the Republic of Korea, and a scholarship and awards fund for outstanding students and authors of theses. This is the first rollout of the program outside Korea, underscoring Poland’s importance in Hanwha’s long-term cooperation.
Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said:
“For over 15 years Hanwha has been cooperating with Poland not only in the industrial dimension but also through long-term investments in local communities. The Global Challenger Project is our contribution to the development of future leaders of security – young officers and scientists who in the future will have a real impact on shaping the security of Poland and the entire region.”
During the ceremony, Jacek Cyrek, President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, presented a commemorative plaque symbolizing the scholarships funded by Hanwha to AWL students and added:
“I wish the students that thanks to this initiative they can fully develop their passions and competencies. I believe that the knowledge and experiences they gain will allow them in the future to hold the highest military positions and have a real impact on building Poland’s security.”
Award for the Hanwha booth
During the exhibition’s closing gala, Hanwha Aerospace was honored with the TOP DESIGN Award for the most impressive booth. This recognition is particularly significant as it was granted alongside such prestigious companies as Hyundai Rotem Company, RTX Corporation, WB Group, and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (Polish Armament Group).
Long-term perspective
Dozens of meetings with representatives of government, parliament, the military, academic and industrial circles confirmed that Hanwha Aerospace is perceived as a reliable, innovative, and long-term partner. Our booth was visited by, among others: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets Konrad Gołota, Chairman of the Sejm’s National Defence Committee MP Andrzej Grzyb, as well as numerous representatives of all branches of the Armed Forces.
MSPO 2025 marked a new quality of Hanwha Aerospace’s presence in Poland – from the breakthrough decision to launch missile production, through strategic agreements with WAT and WITU, to investments in education and support for veterans. This comprehensive program of cooperation shows that our role in Poland is not limited to supplying equipment but also includes building lasting technological, scientific, and social capabilities that strengthen the security of Poland, the region, and NATO as a whole.
