The rollout ceremony took place on 5 August at Hanwha Systems’ Yongin R&D Center and was hosted in collaboration with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Over 50 guests attended the event, including high-ranking officials from the Republic of Korea Air Force, DAPA, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and other key institutions.
Hanwha Systems began developing the AESA radar in 2016, with the first prototype introduced in 2020—only four years after the programme’s launch. The radar is now entering full-scale production and will be installed on the KF-21 fighter aircraft.
Under a production agreement finalised earlier this year, the company is scheduled to deliver 40 AESA radar units between 2025 and 2028. These radars will be integrated into the KF-21, enhancing its combat and surveillance capabilities.
AESA radar systems, often described as the “eyes” of a fighter jet, enable simultaneous multi-mission operations across air, ground, and sea domains. Compared to traditional mechanically scanned radars, AESA offers quicker target acquisition, wider operational coverage, and improved survivability by engaging multiple threats at once.
The new radar was unveiled at Hanwha Systems’ recently completed antenna testing facility in Yongin. Completed in late 2024, the site features a Near-Field Chamber that allows simultaneous testing of up to four radar systems, each containing around 1,000 transmit/receive (T/R) modules.
“Hanwha Systems is the one and only company in Korea to successfully develop, mass-produce, and export AESA radar systems,” said Hyuk Park, Head of Hanwha Systems’ Defense Electronics Division. “We are expanding our global reach with scalable radar solutions tailored to a wide range of platforms—from light fighters to unmanned aerial vehicles.”
In May 2024, Hanwha Systems secured its first international contract for AESA radar antennas with European defence firm Leonardo. The agreement covers radars for light attack aircraft and marks the beginning of South Korea’s AESA radar exports.
