“Forging the Future: Hanwha Teams Up with Northrop Grumman for Advanced Air Defense Solutions”
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, JUNE 23, 2025 – Hanwha Systems (CEO Jae-il Son) declared today that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with prominent U.S. defense firm Northrop Grumman earlier this year to collaborate on technologies for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) systems.
In accordance with the agreement, the two organizations will explore essential technologies pertaining to integrated aerial defense command and control and seek new business ventures in Korea.
Recent confrontations, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising tensions in the Middle East, have underscored the mounting threat posed by advanced aerial assets including fighter aircraft, ballistic missiles, and UAVs. Consequently, countries globally are bolstering their defense strategies with highly integrated and adaptable air defense systems.
Northrop Grumman, a worldwide frontrunner in air and missile defense offerings, is the architect of the IBCS (Integrated Battle Command System), a state-of-the-art command and control framework designed to merge various sensors and interceptors across domains—land, sea, and air. Currently being implemented by the U.S. Army and assessed for expansion into Europe and beyond, IBCS facilitates seamless data exchange and optimized threat engagement across an array of weapon systems.
By unifying disparate radar and interceptor frameworks into a single interconnected command structure, IBCS enables faster, more precise responses to dynamic aerial threats. It enhances operational efficacy by selecting the most optimal interceptor, irrespective of its source or type.
Through this collaboration, Hanwha Systems and Northrop Grumman seek to amalgamate their respective strengths in radar and battle management technologies for more sophisticated and resilient air defense solutions.
Hanwha Systems boasts advanced command and control technologies that facilitate real-time integration between high-level command structures and weapon systems. These include the Korea Air and Missile Defense Operations Center (KAMDOC), the Master Control and Reporting Center (MCRC), and the Air Defense Command Control & Alert (ADC2A) system—all pivotal components of Korea’s homegrown air and missile defense command architecture. Building on its successful history in creating such high-end battle management and engagement control systems, Hanwha Systems is now taking on the ambition of next-generation air defense evolution.
* KAMDOC: Developed in collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development between 2019 and 2022, this operations center bolsters Korea’s layered missile defense system with centralized command capabilities.
* MCRC: A vital air sovereignty asset that ensures 24/7 monitoring and control of all aircraft operating in Korean airspace, including the guiding of allied fighters.
* Air Defense C2A: A cutting-edge command and control solution that facilitates integrated and synchronized air defense operations by merging battlefield sensors, threat identification systems, and engagement platforms into a cohesive network.
As a prominent provider of multilayered air defense solutions, Hanwha Systems is tasked with the development and deployment of multifunction radars (MFRs) across a broad spectrum of systems, including LAMD, M-SAM, and L-SAM.
* LAMD (Low Altitude Missile Defense), Korea’s “last line of defense” against long-range artillery threats;
* M-SAM Block-II (Cheongung-II), a medium-range surface-to-air missile system;
* L-SAM and L-SAM Block-II, Korea’s long-range air defense and high-altitude interception systems.
Through these initiatives, Hanwha Systems continues to lead innovation in integrated air and missile defense, reinforcing national security and boosting its global competitiveness.
Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager of command & control and weapons integration at Northrop Grumman, stated, “This MOU with Hanwha signifies our strong eagerness to work alongside Korean industry in exploring avenues to deliver innovative and cost-efficient air and missile defense solutions that bolster Korean homeland security.”
Sungkyun Park, vice president and business director of the Defense Electronics Division, remarked,
“Hanwha is undergoing a bold transformation to establish itself as a foremost global defense corporation. Our collaboration embodies our ambition to spearhead the development of next-generation weapon systems and fortify our position in the international marketplace.”
