Hanwha Chairman Kim emphasizes AI as key to defense competitiveness

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn visited the Hanwha Systems Gumi plant on the 22nd to inspect advanced defense production and testing facilities. During the visit, Kim emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) will be the decisive factor in the group's defense competitiveness.

Kim described Hanwha Systems as the ‘brain and nervous system’ of Hanwha's defense sector, tasked with connecting the land, sea, air, and space capabilities of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean through AI-based command and control systems. He urged employees to develop unrivaled national defense AI capabilities.

The inspection included the assembly and testing sites for the multi-function radar (MFR) used in the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system, which is exported to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Kim also reviewed developments in AI-based integrated air defense systems, KF-21 AESA radar testing capabilities, and cockpit-type integrated bridge systems for naval vessels.

This visit marks Kim's second field management session this year, following a visit to the Jeju Space Center in January. He also stressed the importance of workplace safety, stating that ‘there is no future without safety’.