Hanwha Aerospace

Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd.
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Aerospace, Defense
Predecessor	Samsung Techwin, Samsung Aerospace Co., Ltd.
Founded	1977
Headquarters	Changwon, South Korea
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Aircraft engines, gas turbine engines, self-propelled howitzers, armored vehicles, air defense systems, ammunition carriers
Owner	Hanwha Corporation (33.99%)
Parent	Hanwha Group

Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd.

Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd. (Template:Korean), previously known as Hanwha Techwin Co Ltd, operates as a subsidiary under the Hanwha Group. This aerospace manufacturing enterprise is based in Changwon, South Korea. Founded in 1977 under the name Samsung Precision, it stands as South Korea’s sole manufacturer of gas turbine engines. The company focuses on the design, fabrication, and servicing of aircraft engines. Beginning its aircraft engine operations in 1979 with maintenance services for gas turbine engines, Hanwha Aerospace has supplied a wide range of gas turbines domestically and internationally. By 2016, the firm had successfully produced over 8,000 units of such equipment.

Samsung Precision (1977)

Founded in 1977 under the name Samsung Precision Industry, the company manufactured its inaugural missile propulsion system within its first operational year. By 1978, it had set up its initial manufacturing plant along with a precision machinery research and development center in Changwon. The following year, production of aircraft gas turbine engines commenced, and a joint venture with Japan's Minolta was launched to manufacture cameras. After completing a second factory in Changwon in 1980, the firm began producing components for aircraft in 1981. The company achieved the localization of aircraft parts for the first time in 1982. In 1983, it acquired part of Korea Heavy Industries' heavy equipment factory and developed a multi-joint assembly robot by 1984. A joint venture with the American company Pratt & Whitney led to the creation of Samsung United Airlines in 1985. By 1986, the company was designated as a primary supplier for the Korean Fighter Program (KFP).

Samsung Aerospace Co., Ltd. (1987)

In February 1987, the organization rebranded as Samsung Aerospace Co., Ltd., simultaneously establishing an Aerospace R&D Institute dedicated to helicopter development. That same year, it became publicly traded on the Korea Stock Exchange. The company expanded into aviation transportation in 1988 and exported Samsung cameras to the U.S. market for the first time. Its initial overseas subsidiary was founded in the United States in 1989. In 1991, Samsung Aerospace took over an automated warehouse operation from Samsung Electronics. Two years later, it launched the Gyeongnam Sacheon Plant to manufacture Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets under license domestically and engaged in developing twin-engine composite aircraft. In 1995, it acquired Japan’s Union Optical Company as well as Germany’s Rollei GmbH & Co. KG, subsequently introducing its camera brand 'Kenox' in 1996. Following the foreign exchange crisis of 1997, the company divested its automation division to SFA in 1998 and transferred its aircraft-related assets—including those connected to the KF-16—to Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) in 1999 through a government-led consolidation of domestic aerospace manufacturers. That same year marked the start of large-scale production of the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH).

Samsung Techwin (2000)

After fully exiting aircraft manufacturing in March 2000, Samsung Aerospace Co., Ltd. adopted the new name Samsung Techwin. The company shifted its strategic focus towards expanding its semiconductor systems and optical digital sectors, positioning itself as a specialist in digital technologies.

In 2000, it achieved mass production of ultra-thin coated semiconductor components—the first of their kind worldwide—and by 2002 had established sales branches in Germany and the United Kingdom. In 2009, Samsung Techwin separated its camera division into an independent entity named ‘Samsung Digital Imaging’. Additional details can be found under the Samsung Camera section.

Hanwha Techwin (2015)

In November 2014, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the principal shareholder of Samsung Techwin along with Samsung C&T, Samsung SDI, Samsung Life Insurance, and Samsung Securities, divested its entire stake in Samsung Techwin to Hanwha Corporation. Following this transaction, the company was renamed Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd. By June 2015, Hanwha Corporation had also acquired Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha Aerospace) and Samsung Thales (currently Hanwha Systems), allowing Hanwha Group to significantly broaden its defense and electronics portfolio. This expansion ranged from the Defense Division’s precision-guided munitions to Hanwha Techwin’s aircraft engines and ground platforms like self-propelled howitzers, as well as avionics and radar systems from Hanwha Thales. In 2016, the acquisition of Doosan DST—the defense segment of Doosan Group—further extended Hanwha’s defense capabilities to include armored vehicles, air defense systems, and missile launchers, leading to the establishment of ‘Hanwha Defense’ (now Hanwha Aerospace).

Hanwha Aerospace (2018)

In April 2017, Hanwha Techwin underwent a corporate restructuring by separating its Defense Division, Energy Equipment Division, and Industrial Equipment Division into three distinct entities: Hanwha Land Systems Co., Ltd., Hanwha Power Systems Co., Ltd., and Hanwha Precision Machinery Co., Ltd., respectively. Subsequently, in April 2018, the Security Segment was spun off to form a new privately held company named Hanwha Techwin. Concurrently, the original Hanwha Techwin corporation was rebranded as Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd.

By October 2018, Hanwha Aerospace had expanded through the acquisition of aircraft propulsion, hydraulic, and fuel systems businesses from the Machinery Division of Hanwha Corporation. This also included the "Aviation Business," which encompasses aviation components such as landing gear associated with the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KFX) program.

In 2019, Hanwha Land Systems (now Hanwha Aerospace), known for its expertise in the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH), integrated its wholly owned subsidiary Hanwha Defense (currently part of Hanwha Aerospace), which specialized in armored vehicles and launch systems including the K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and K30 BIHO Air Defense Gun & Missile System. This consolidation led to renaming the subsidiary as ‘Hanwha Defense’ under the unified corporate structure.

In November 2022, Hanwha Aerospace fully absorbed its subsidiary Hanwha Defense and announced plans to integrate the Defense Division of Hanwha Corporation as well. This strategic move aims to reinforce its defense portfolio by combining existing aircraft engine and space businesses with artillery systems, armored vehicles, air defense systems, unmanned ground vehicles from Hanwha Defense, along with ammunition and guided weapons from Hanwha Corporation’s Defense Division. Concurrently, affiliates primarily engaged in civilian sectors—such as Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Precision Machinery—are slated for transfer to Hanwha Corporation.

On September 10, 2024, Hanwha Aerospace successfully developed nonflammable battery technology.

Segments

The enterprise conducts its operations through six distinct divisions. The Defense division is responsible for manufacturing and distributing self-propelled artillery, ammunition carriers, and delivering full-scale support for ground weapon systems. The Aviation Engine division focuses on the production and supply of gas turbine engines and related components, alongside offering engine maintenance services. The Power Systems division specializes in the creation and sale of compressors and power generation equipment. The Security division produces and markets closed circuit televisions (CCTVs), digital video recorders (DVRs), among other products. The Industrial Equipment division develops and sells surface mount technology machinery, including chip mounters and screen printers. Lastly, the Information Technology (IT) Service division undertakes activities such as designing and constructing computer systems as well as managing outsourced computer system operations.

Business

Following the integration of Hanwha Defense with Hanwha Corporation's defense unit, the company has broadened its scope beyond aerospace engines and space initiatives to encompass a comprehensive range of defense sectors including space, aviation, land, maritime, and air defense.

Ground defense systems

Hanwha Aerospace is engaged in the development and production of diverse ground defense solutions covering firepower, maneuverability, air defense, naval applications, and integrated unmanned-manned platforms. In April 2023, the company completed the acquisition and merger with Hanwha Defense (previously Hanwha Corporation’s Defense Division), utilizing cutting-edge explosive technologies to extend its portfolio into guided weaponry, ammunition, laser technology, and navigation systems.

Self-propelled howitzers

K9 Thunder
K10 ammunition resupply vehicle
K77 fire command vehicle
K55A1 self-propelled howitzer
K56 ammunition transport vehicle
K105A1 self-propelled howitzer
120mm self-propelled mortar
Various launcher platforms

Infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs)

K21 infantry fighting vehicle
K200A1 armored vehicle
Barracuda armored vehicle
Tigon armored vehicle
Chemical reconnaissance vehicle

Anti-aircraft weaponry

Hybrid Biho (short-range air defense system)
30mm wheeled anti-aircraft gun
K31 Cheonma (Pegasus) missile system
Nobong surface-to-air missile system
Vulcan cannon

Subsidiaries

Hanwha Land Systems
Hanwha Power Systems
Hanwha Precision Machinery
Hanwha Techwin
Hanwha Systems

Ownership

Principal shareholders as of 2025
Shareholder	Country	Ownership (%)
Hanwha Corporation	Template:KOR	33.99%
National Pension Service	Template:KOR	7.56%
Treasury Stocks	Template:KOR	0.25%
Other	Template:KOR	0.3%

References

External links

Official website

Template:Finance links

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