Hanwha Systems is partnering with Diehl Defence to accelerate the global expansion of its radar business. On October 21, Hanwha Systems CEO Son Jae-il announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Germany’s Diehl Defence to establish a strategic partnership for mutual cooperation in the future and to cooperate on the supply of Multi-Function Radars (MFR) for the ground-based air defence (GBAD) air defence system.
Diehl Defence produces air defence systems as well as high-tech guided missiles, innovative ammunition solutions and special reconnaissance and protection systems. Its modern system solutions for ground-based air defence set new international standards.
In Diehl Defence’s GBAD portfolio, IRIS-T SLM is the medium-range state-of-the-art, surface-to-air guided weapon system capable of intercepting not only missiles and fighter jets, but also UAVs and drones. The system gained worldwide recognition after being deployed in the Ukraine war in late 2022, achieving a success rate of almost 100 percent.
IRIS-T SLM serves as a core air defence asset within the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI)—a NATO-led project spearheaded by Germany with participation from over 20 European nations. ESSI aims to establish a multi-layered air defence network capable of intercepting enemy missiles, drones, and even hypersonic weapons at high, medium, and low altitudes.
European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) was established after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this NATO cooperation framework aims to enhance the Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) system across Europe, with participating nations including Germany, the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria. Completion is targeted by 2030.
Under the MOU, the two companies will pursue technical cooperation to integrate Hanwha Systems’ MFR with Diehl Defence’s systems. They plan to jointly analyse potential export markets and conduct system integration and verification using actual radar equipment.
Hanwha Systems has developed and supplied MFRs for major programs such as: LAMD, Korea’s “final shield” against long-range artillery, M-SAM-II (Cheongung-II), Korea’ mid-range SAM system, and L-SAM and L-SAM-II, Korea’s long-range and high-altitude interceptor systems, often referred to as “Korean THAAD.”
Hanwha Systems’ Multi-Function Radar (MFR), a flagship product representing Korea’s defence exports, continues to attract attention from the Middle East. The company exported Cheongung-II MFRs to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022 and Saudi Arabia in 2024. Through its partnership with Diehl Defence, which maintains a robust European defence supply network, Hanwha Systems aims to diversify its export markets and further increase global radar system export.
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