Hanwha laser system completes live drone interception test

The laser air defense weapon “Cheongwang” developed by Hanwha Systems has once again successfully demonstrated its operational performance. As the world’s first deployed system of its kind, it continues to draw global market attention. Hanwha Systems (CEO Ki-won Yang) announced on the 14th that it successfully completed a live drone interception demonstration utilizing “Cheongwang” (Laser Air Defense Weapon Block-I) and a “Vehicle-Mounted High-Energy Laser Cannon” during the “Army TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Exercise” hosted by the Republic of Korea Army Headquarters. The event was attended by around 500 key personnel, including Chief of Staff of the ROK Army, as well as military officials, academic figures, and industry experts. In full view of the attendees, Cheongwang and the 30kW-class vehicle-mounted laser cannon demonstrated unmatched precision by successfully neutralizing 100% of the three target drones deployed. Recently, low-cost small UAVs and drones have emerged as a new threat on the battlefield, widely used not only for reconnaissance and surveillance but also as direct strike assets. Consequently, laser weapons are coming into the spotlight as next-generation air defense assets capable of rapidly responding to swarm drone threats while overcoming the limitations of conventional missile-based air defense systems. Meaning “light of the sky”, Cheongwang is the world’s first operationally deployed laser weapon system, developed by Hanwha Systems and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). It is a highly cost-effective weapon system costing only about $1.50 per firing. And it offers the significant advantage of continuous operation without ammunition supply constraints as long as power is secured. On the 16th of last month, Hanwha’s “Cheongwang” also achieved a 100% neutralize success rate against four drones and two UAVs in succession at the ‘2026 Defense Drone Technology Exhibition’ in front of numerous domestic and international guests. Additionally, at that time, Hanwha Systems exhibited and promoted the “50kW Laser Armored Vehicle” (currently under in-house development for export), earning high praise from attendees. The “50kW Laser Armored Vehicle” is a next-generation laser solution incorporating accumulated technology to meet the requirements of overseas customers, featuring simultaneous improvements in mobility and power output. Hanwha Systems showcased the 50kW Laser Armored Vehicle to international markets at “MSPO 2026,” Eastern Europe’s largest defense exhibition, held in Kielce, Poland for four days starting on the 8th of last month. Joohun Shin, Head of the Laser Systems Business Center at Hanwha Systems, stated, “Laser weapons are core assets that will fundamentally change the game of air defense. Driven by unmatched technological capability and proven operational performance, we will accelerate our entry into the global market to establish both Cheongwang and the high-mobility, high-power 50kW Laser Armored Vehicle as key next-generation export items for K-Defense.” Hanwha Defence Australia chooses paint partner for Redback vehicles (PHOTO: Hanwha Defence Australia) Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) has selected Axalta Coating Systems as the paint partner to work on the painting of the AS21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle being acquired under LAND 400 Phase 3. This contract builds on the successful partnership between the two companies after the 2024 signing of a similar contract for the Huntsman family of vehicles under LAND 8116. Axalta’s specialist military team have worked closely with Hanwha in both Australia and Korea, demonstrating a range of military coatings, specialist application training, and ongoing technical support to meet the highest standards required. The vehicles will be required to operate in demanding environments for decades to come, so paint products must stand up to these challenging exposure demands, with maintenance requirements kept to a minimum. “We’ve been working with Axalta on paint and coatings for the Huntsman family of vehicles and we were pleased to continue that relationship for the Redback fleet,” Alecia Millard, HDA’s Director of Programs said. “The work being done by our in-house paint shop team at the Hanwha Armoured vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) with the support of Axalta means that we have an experienced team to make sure one of the last steps in production is fit for purpose.” “Axalta is extremely proud to extend our partnership with Hanwha into this next exciting fleet of vehicles,” Michael Busch, Axalta’s Military Program Manager said. “The strong relationship that has been developed over many years between our teams, both here and in South Korea will ensure the finished product delivered to the Commonwealth will be of the highest possible quality, and provide the greatest possible support to Australian soldiers.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]