Korean Hanwha, Northrop Grumman to Develop Multi-layered Air Defense System

South Korea’s Hanwha Systems has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Northrop Grumman to jointly develop multi-layered air defense systems.

The agreement marks a strategic move by both companies to integrate their respective strengths—Hanwha’s radar technologies and Northrop Grumman’s networked battle management systems—into unified air defense solutions capable of detecting and intercepting threats across different domains.

Northrop Grumman is known for developing the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), a network-centric command platform that connects sensors and interceptors to create a highly flexible, layered defense structure. IBCS enables military forces to conduct coordinated air defense by integrating systems across land, sea, and air.

Hanwha Systems, meanwhile, is expanding its radar development portfolio. The company was recently selected to develop the multi-function radar (MFR) for the second phase of South Korea’s long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) program. It has previously supplied radar systems for missile interception projects in coordination with the country’s Agency for Defense Development.

The partnership may help Hanwha increase its footprint in the U.S. defense market.