The latest demonstration took place during the Army TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Exercise. About 500 military, academic and industry representatives attended, including the Army’s chief of staff.
Cheongwang, also known as Laser Air Defense Weapon Block-I, was developed by Hanwha Systems and South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development. Hanwha describes it as the world’s first operationally deployed laser weapon system.
The company puts Cheongwang’s firing cost at approximately $1.50 per shot. It says the system can continue operating without conventional ammunition supplies as long as power is available.
Hanwha is also developing a 50 kW laser armoured vehicle for overseas customers. The design is intended to offer greater mobility and power output.
The company displayed the vehicle at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland, and at South Korea’s Defense Drone Technology Exhibition in September. During the latter event on 16 September, Cheongwang successfully engaged four drones and two UAVs.
“Laser weapons are core assets that will fundamentally change the game of air defense,” said Joohun Shin, head of Hanwha Systems’ Laser Systems Business Center. “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 is positioning the weapons against small drones used for reconnaissance, surveillance and direct strikes. The announcement did not specify engagement ranges or a development timetable for the 50 kW vehicle.
