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| Visitors take a look at Hanwha Aerospace's naval engine systems while visiting the firm's booth set up on the nation's southern resort island of Jeju, Thursday. The company plans to showcase its latest defense technologies for four days from Thursday while participating in the 2018 International Fleet Review. / Courtesy of Hanwha |
By Lee Min-hyung
Hanwha's defense affiliates showcased their state-of-the-art naval defense technologies Thursday, offering a glimpse into the future of maritime combat systems.
The companies ― including Hanwha System, Hanwha Land Systems and Hanwha Aerospace ― unveiled their latest radar and remote firing systems on the sidelines of the Navy's 2018 International Fleet Review, according to the company.
Hanwha hopes to take advantage of the event to raise its global profile, as a group of 45 countries sent naval delegations for the five-day event which is taking place on the nation's southern resort island of Jeju.
Hundreds of ranking military and government officials in the naval industry from here and abroad are expected to visit the booths of the Hanwha affiliates.
In particular, Hanwha Systems has divided its promotional booth into three themes ― combat systems, sensors and maritime weapons, according to the company. The firm's profit drivers include radars and products related to electronic optics.
In the combat zone, the company is showcasing its latest cutting-edge automated naval combat systems ― integrating sensors and unmanned battle systems ― the company said. Hanwha Systems has provided core technologies for the Navy's warships and submarines for more than three decades.
The company is also promoting its radar and monitoring systems in the sensor zone, which the company says will maximize the Navy's combat capability and survival rate.
Hanwha Systems also exhibited the next-generation unmanned combat systems particularly of use for submarines. The systems enable warships and submarines to self-navigate and avoid obstacles on their own without human input, according to the company.
"We are going to actively support the Navy's unmanned combat systems by continuously diversifying our product portfolios for small to large vessels," a company official said.
Hanwha Land Systems, best known for its K9 self-propelled howitzer, also plans to showcase 12.7-millimeter remote weapon stations currently used by the Korean Navy and the firm's lithium battery systems for submarines, the company said.
The remote fire control system is mainly used for patrol boats and high-speed ships to defend against possible naval threats at sea.
The company has also succeeded recently in developing a lightweight version of the system, and is seeking to export it to overseas naval forces.
The lithium battery is a large-capacity energy storage system providing electricity to submarine equipment, the company explained.
Unlike traditional lead storage batteries, the lithium battery is identified as the next battery standard for naval forces here and abroad due to its stability and longevity.
Hanwha Aerospace, the aircraft engine manufacturer of Hanwha Group, is also seeking to showcase the LM2500 gas turbine engine and its self-developed anti-ship missile engines.
"We are going to go all-out in marketing activities during the exhibition for potential customers here and abroad," a company official said.
Hanwha Systems CEO Chang Si-kweon said the company would do its best to showcase its diverse product portfolio and latest technological achievements at the naval event.
"We will also continue contributing to enhancing the nation's naval defense capabilities by offering our state-of-the-art technologies," he said.
The fleet review, hosted by the Korean Navy, is one of the world's largest naval events. This marks the third time the Navy has held the event in Korea since 1998.
On Thursday, President Moon Jae-in attended the event and delivered a speech on the need to enhance the nation's naval combat prowess.
