Hyundai Wia, South Korea's Only Artillery Manufacturer
Hyundai Wia announced its ambition to become a leading global manufacturer of large-caliber artillery by participating in the '2025 Defense Industry Parts, Materials, and Equipment Expo'.
On July 10, Hyundai Wia stated that it is showcasing mobility-based firepower equipment at the '2025 Defense Industry Parts, Materials, and Equipment Expo', which is being held from July 9 to 11 at the Changwon Convention Center in Changwon Special City, Gyeongsangnam-do. This event is a defense industry exhibition jointly hosted by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Changwon City.
The previous day, Hyundai Wia also held a separate 'Global Large-Caliber Artillery Specialist Manufacturer Promotion Event' at the same venue. During this event, Hyundai Wia presented its vision to grow as a 'specialized large-caliber artillery company' based on its world-class artillery manufacturing capabilities and related development technologies.
Hyundai Wia 2025 Defense Industry Parts, Materials, and Equipment Expo Booth View. Courtesy of Hyundai Wia
Hyundai Wia is the only artillery manufacturer in South Korea. Since mass-producing the 4.2-inch mortar in 1977, the company has produced approximately 20,000 artillery barrels to date, including those for the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer. If all the barrels produced so far were lined up, they would stretch about 150 kilometers, which is equivalent to the straight-line distance from Changwon Special City Hall to Daejeon Metropolitan City Hall. At this exhibition, Hyundai Wia is presenting the 120mm caliber barrel for the K2 tank and the 155mm caliber barrel for the K9 self-propelled howitzer, and announced that it is developing extended-range barrels and next-generation tank armament technologies.
The company also unveiled its mobility-based firepower systems, which are expected to secure global orders. The representative artillery piece is the 'lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer.' This artillery system has a maximum range of 18 kilometers. By reducing its weight to less than half that of existing artillery pieces in the same class, it can be mounted on small tactical vehicles capable of speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour. It can also be transported by large helicopters. In addition, Hyundai Wia exhibited the following: a vehicle-mounted 81mm mortar, a mobile RCWS (Remote Control Weapon System), and a vehicle-mounted integrated anti-drone defense system (ADS·Anti Drone System).
Lee Hoyoung, Executive Director of Hyundai Wia's Special Business Division, said, "We will strive to establish a lineup of mobile firepower systems capable of providing rapid firepower support in any battlefield, thereby strengthening our nation's defense capabilities and contributing to the export of K-defense products."
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