The approach is intended to combine American production capacity with manufacturing experience developed at Hanwha’s Changwon complex in South Korea. That site supports concurrent K9 programs for South Korea, Poland, Australia, Egypt and other allied customers.
K9MH systems are already moving through the Changwon production line, which uses automated processes including robotic welding. Hanwha said those methods support the high-volume and consistent output it plans to bring to its U.S. operations.
The company is also presenting the K9A1 and Chunmoo multiple rocket launch system alongside the K9MH as part of its broader land-systems portfolio. Live mobility demonstrations of the two K9 variants and a demonstration of Chunmoo highlighted the range of artillery and rocket capabilities available to the U.S. Army.
Hanwha’s U.S. strategy is based on expanding domestic work in stages as production requirements develop. Future phases are being assessed against the Army’s needs rather than being introduced as a single large-scale transfer of manufacturing activity.
Michael Coulter, chief executive officer of Hanwha Defense USA, said: “Hanwha brings proven manufacturing capabilities and global production experience that will strengthen deterrence and support the U.S. industrial base. For more than seven decades, the U.S.-Korea alliance has been a cornerstone of peace and security, and defense industrial cooperation is an increasingly important pillar of that alliance.”
The company outlined its production model and land-systems capabilities during an August 26 visit to Changwon by a U.S. Army delegation led by Brent G. Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. Discussions focused on Hanwha’s manufacturing capacity and the service’s modernization priorities.
