Strengthening Korea-India Defense Cooperation
[CBC News] Hanwha Aerospace is set to deepen its defense industry ties with India through a new export deal involving its state-of-the-art K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. Announced on June 3, the deal is worth an estimated 370 billion KRW (approximately 270 million USD) and follows the company’s first successful K9 delivery to India in 2017.
Commendable Track Record Earns New Trust
Having established itself as a trusted defense partner in the Indian market, Hanwha Aerospace once again proved its reliability by meeting India’s stringent operational requirements. This new contract will see Hanwha collaborate once more with major Indian defense firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to supply the Indian Army with additional advanced artillery systems.
Symbolic Agreement Marks 10-Year Strategic Partnership
The signing ceremony took place at the South Korean Embassy in New Delhi, with high-level attendees including Seong-ho Lee, South Korea’s Ambassador to India, Hanwha CEO Jaeil Son, and L&T Executive Vice President Arun Ramchandani. Ambassador Lee commented, “This agreement serves as a symbolic milestone for the 10th anniversary of the Korea-India Special Strategic Partnership.”
A Gateway to Asia’s Defense Market
Hanwha’s K9 Thunder is already gaining recognition worldwide for its excellent performance and consistent delivery standards. CEO Son emphasized, “Our continued partnership with India strengthens Hanwha’s presence in the Asian defense industry, paving the way for future collaborations with other regional powers.”
India’s Military Modernization Strategy
This deal aligns with India’s ongoing military modernization initiatives aimed at enhancing joint operational capabilities across its Army, Navy, and Air Force. By meeting these evolving demands, Hanwha not only reaffirms its technological edge but also strengthens its business credibility on the global stage.
Beyond Artillery: Eyes on Future Projects
The successful deployment of the K9 howitzers could open doors for more cooperative ventures. Hanwha is already in discussions with India regarding a potential air defense system export, and this latest agreement may serve as a stepping stone for more expanded cooperation in the future.
With Asia becoming a key battleground for defense technology partnerships, Hanwha Aerospace’s growing footprint in India signals Korea’s increasing role in the region’s security landscape.
