Hanwha Aerospace Proposes Integrated K9, Redback, and Chunmoo Solution to Canadian Defence Procurement Minister

Secretary Fuhr visits Hanwha Aerospace Changwon Plants 2 and 3
Inspects K9 and Redback demonstrations and Chunmoo production line
"Modernized production facilities are impressive"

Hanwha Aerospace has proposed an integrated ground defense solution to Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement of Canada, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, and the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, as it moves to expand defense cooperation with Canada.

On the 3rd, Fuhr Stephen, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement of Canada (center), and Lafortune Philippe, Ambassador of Canada to South Korea (right), visited Hanwha Aerospace's Changwon plant. To the left is Son Jaeil, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace. Provided by Hanwha Aerospace

On the 3rd, Secretary Fuhr visited Hanwha Aerospace's Plants 2 and 3, located in Changwon Special City, Gyeongsangnam-do. Following his visit to Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard the previous day, this visit was arranged so that he could directly assess the production capacity and technological competitiveness of South Korea's defense industry ahead of Canada's large-scale military modernization program.

This visit coincided with Canada's ongoing programs to introduce systems under the Indirect Fires Modernization (IFM), Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), and Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) projects.

Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement of Canada, visited Hanwha Aerospace's Changwon plant on the 3rd (fourth from the left). Second from the left is Glen Copeland, Head of Hanwha Ocean Canada, and third from the left is Son Jaeil, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace. Provided by Hanwha Aerospace.

Integrated firepower and mobility solution with K9, Chunmoo, and Redback

On this day, Hanwha Aerospace opened the production lines for the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the K10 ammunition resupply vehicle, and the Chunmoo system to Secretary Fuhr and about 30 key officials from defense companies, and conducted a mobility demonstration of the K9, Redback, and K21 armored vehicle. Secretary Fuhr showed strong interest, including by boarding major equipment himself to experience their mobility performance.

Canada recently announced a plan to advance the introduction schedule for infantry fighting vehicles by up to six years and procure about 250 units around 2030. In response, Hanwha Aerospace proposed a "firepower and mobility integrated solution" that links the K9, Chunmoo, and Redback, which are currently in operation in more than 10 countries worldwide, including six member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In particular, the company emphasized that these weapon systems have already been operated and verified in NATO and Five Eyes countries, explaining that, based on interoperability, they offer an optimal option for Canada's Army modernization program.

Presenting the Australian H-ACE model... Emphasis on localization and supply chain cooperation

Hanwha Aerospace also presented cooperation plans aimed at building Canada's defense ecosystem, going beyond the simple supply of equipment. Introducing its local production base, the Hanwha Armored Vehicle Center of Excellence (H-ACE), established in Geelong near Melbourne, Australia, the company outlined a vision to create a similar production hub in Canada that would contribute to local job creation and technology transfer.

This is a strategy that simultaneously meets the Canadian government's priorities of local production and supply chain security, and reflects Hanwha's intention to use Canada as a base to expand cooperation in the North American and NATO markets.

Son Jaeil, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said, "South Korea and Canada are blood allies that defended liberal democracy during the Korean War, when more than 26,000 Canadian troops were deployed," adding, "Based on Hanwha's technological capabilities and proven record of on-time delivery accumulated over decades, we will become the best partner for Canada's military modernization."

In response, Secretary Fuhr said, "Hanwha's modernized production facilities and high level of technology are very impressive," and added, "This visit will serve as an important opportunity to put future defense cooperation between the two countries into concrete form."

On the previous day, Secretary Fuhr visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard to review its submarine construction capabilities, taking a comprehensive look at Hanwha's integrated land, sea, and air defense capabilities.