U.S. Army Visits Hanwha Aerospace’s Changwon Facility to Inspect K9 Production Line

[Financial News] Brent Ingraham, the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, visited Hanwha Aerospace’s Changwon facility. He inspected the K9 self-propelled howitzer production line and observed mobility demonstrations.
Hanwha Aerospace said on the 2nd that Assistant Secretary Ingraham and his delegation visited the Changwon facility on the 26th of last month.
The delegation examined the wheeled K9 production line and automated processes, including robotic welding. They watched mobility demonstrations of wheeled and tracked K9 self-propelled howitzers and toured the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher, the medium-range surface-to-air missile system (M-SAM), the long-range surface-to-air missile system (L-SAM), the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, and the Korean Vertical Launching System (KVLS).
The visit by Assistant Secretary Ingraham’s delegation followed the signing on the 19th of last month of a contract between Hanwha Defense USA, Hanwha Aerospace’s U.S. subsidiary, and the U.S. Army to supply prototypes of the wheeled K9 self-propelled howitzer. Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Defense USA, said, "For more than 70 years, the U.S.-South Korea alliance has been a cornerstone of peace and security, and defense cooperation has been a critical pillar supporting it. Hanwha will strengthen the alliance’s deterrence capabilities and contribute to the U.S. defense industrial base through its proven manufacturing capabilities and global production experience."
Hanwha Group announced the delegation’s visit on LinkedIn the same day, stating, "We highlighted our production experience supporting Hanwha’s land defense portfolio and plans to expand production in the United States."
[email protected] Kim Yoon-ho Reporter