Ben Hudson appointed CEO of Hanwha’s European and UK defence operations

“I am honoured to join our European and UK defence leadership team at such a pivotal moment for both our company and our European partners,” said Hudson. “Hanwha’s long-term vision starts at the very top of the company, with a drive to partner with our customers and create enduring sovereign capabilities that can deliver solutions to the defence and security challenges faced by nations now and into the future.”

Hudson brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held senior executive positions at BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and General Dynamics, including fifteen years based in Switzerland, Germany and the UK. He is a mechanical engineer with an MBA from London Business School, a former officer in the Australian Army with operational service in East Timor, and holds both British and Australian citizenship.

His appointment comes as Hanwha accelerates its expansion in Europe, reinforcing its position as a reliable defence partner for NATO and European allies. The company is focused on delivering localised, interoperable and rapid capability solutions, aligned with national priorities and security objectives.

“As Hanwha looks to further globalise our business, we are very pleased to appoint Ben—who brings deep experience across European defence markets—to this key role leading our business in Europe and the UK,” said Michael Coulter, President and CEO of Hanwha Global Defense. “Europe represents a vital part of Hanwha’s long-term, multi-domestic strategy, where we seek not only to expand our footprint, but also to invest in sovereign capacity and industrial resilience in partnership with local stakeholders.”

“Hanwha is fully committed to working closely with our European partners for national priorities, and this appointment marks the beginning of the next phase of our journey—one grounded in trust, long-term collaboration, and shared security goals,” Coulter added.

Hanwha has had a presence in Europe for over 40 years, beginning with the establishment of Hanwha Europe GmbH in Eschborn, near Frankfurt. Today, its regional footprint includes key investments and partnerships in Poland, Romania, Norway, and the UK.

The company has delivered five 37,000-ton Tide Class Replenishment at Sea ships—four to the United Kingdom and one to Norway—demonstrating its capability in naval shipbuilding. In land systems, Hanwha has secured contracts for the delivery of over 800 K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers to countries such as Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Romania.

As part of its cooperation with Poland, Hanwha is supplying 290 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launch Systems to enhance the country’s long-range firepower. The company is also a major supplier of artillery modular charges to NATO customers in Europe and has developed strong industrial partnerships to support European manufacturing and defence exports.

Founded in 1977 and based in South Korea, Hanwha Aerospace is a global leader in defence and aerospace technology. Its portfolio includes advanced land systems like the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and K239 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher, along with precision-guided munitions and propulsion systems for air, sea and space platforms.