Hanwha Launches Strategic MENA Hub to Enhance Defense Partnerships
Hanwha Aerospace has inaugurated its Regional Headquarters in Riyadh for the Middle East and North Africa region, signifying a major achievement in the organization’s strategic growth within the area. This initiative showcases Hanwha’s long-term dedication to enhancing collaborations, promoting industrial synergy, and bolstering defense modernization projects throughout the region.
The opening ceremony was graced by His Excellency Eng. Ahmad bin Abdulazia Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), alongside His Excellency Mr. Seok Jong-gun, Minister of the Republic of Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administrator (DAPA). Approximately 80 prominent representatives from the Korean Embassy in the Kingdom, the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of National Guard, the Ministry of Investment, and the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) graced the occasion, in addition to the international leadership team from Hanwha, represented by Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean.
The establishment of Hanwha’s operations in Saudi Arabia not only signifies a crucial progress towards enhancing local content and developing sovereign capabilities in the defense sector, but also extends collaboration beyond defense into smart cities, renewable energy, and the aerospace domain, establishing the Riyadh RHQ as a gateway for growth across the Gulf and North Africa.
“The establishment of the MENA Regional Headquarters signifies a significant event for Hanwha to further enhance collaboration with Saudi Arabia and other crucial nations throughout the Middle East and North Africa,” stated Mr. Sung Il, President for Middle East and Africa, during the ceremony. “Building on the foundation of partnerships Hanwha has constructed across the region, our new headquarters will operate as a regional hub for collaboration in land, naval, and aerospace systems — fortifying security while promoting industrial development and job opportunities.”
Leveraging its established expertise in defense, aerospace, and cutting-edge technologies, Hanwha aspires to cultivate long-lasting collaboration that reinforces regional security, accelerates industrial progress, and offers sustainable partnerships with MENA countries.
Saudi Arabia acts as the essential anchor of Hanwha’s MENA vision, especially given the Kingdom’s leadership in defense modernization and industrial transformation under Vision 2030. In line with the target to localize over 50% of Saudi Arabia’s defense expenditure on equipment and services by 2030, Hanwha Aerospace aims to enhance local supply chains, establish joint production facilities, and create
high-skilled employment opportunities. These efforts will strengthen the Kingdom’s defense ecosystem, drive economic diversification, and enhance supply chain robustness.
As a part of this commitment, Hanwha is probing opportunities to set up Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, initiate technical training and educational initiatives, and pursue collaborative research and development projects in Saudi Arabia. These actions reflect Hanwha’s broader strategy to contribute to Vision 2030 through technology transfer, localization, and job creation.
Comprehensive defense portfolio for regional collaboration
Hanwha’s sophisticated defense portfolio—including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, Tigon 8×8 armored vehicle, and next-generation air defense systems like the M-SAM—is fundamental to its partnership strategy. These combat-validated solutions, coupled with investments in local manufacturing and technology transfer, will further solidify collaboration with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and other regional stakeholders.
Hanwha has also engaged in high-level discussions with regional leaders to foster bilateral collaboration. In November 2024, Hanwha Vice Chairman Dong Kwan Kim consulted with Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of the National Guard (MNG), to explore avenues in defense modernization and industrial partnerships. This reaffirms a unified commitment to bolster strategic defense capabilities and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive economic diversification agenda.
