The South Korean giant Hanwha and the Emirati firm Generation 5 Holding join forces to produce self-propelled artillery systems, aiming to secure the Middle East market.
In a move that promises to redefine the regional defense industrial landscape, South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace has signed a collaboration agreement with the UAE-based Generation 5 Holding. The central objective of this partnership is the joint manufacturing of K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers directly on Emirati soil, turning the country into a production hub for regional customers.
Hanwha’s expansion and the pillar of local production in the Middle East
The agreement, formalized on the sidelines of the Eurosatory defense expo in Paris, is part of a broad strategy by Hanwha Aerospace to strengthen its presence in the Middle East. Through technological partnerships and local production, the South Korean group aims not only to sell equipment but also to create indigenous industrial capabilities within partner nations. This approach allows for faster and more efficient technical support, tailored to the specific needs of regional users.
For the United Arab Emirates, the collaboration through Generation 5 Holding — the parent company of the well-known aircraft and armored vehicle developer Calidus — represents a significant step toward defense sovereignty. The transfer of advanced manufacturing technologies and the localization of production are essential pillars in the national strategy to develop a globally competitive military industry.
Global artillery demand in the context of lessons learned from Ukraine
The timing of this partnership is no coincidence. Global demand for 155mm artillery systems has surged in recent years as the conflict in Ukraine demonstrated the decisive role of these capabilities in modern warfare. The K9 Thunder howitzer is already a successful product in the region, with a similar $1.7 billion contract previously signed with Egypt, where subsystems are produced locally in state factories.
By combining the manufacturing expertise of both companies, the new project aims to deliver high-performance systems that quickly meet current security requirements. The partnership highlights a clear trend in the defense industry: nations are no longer looking just for off-the-shelf purchases, but for long-term partnerships that guarantee domestic maintenance and the technological evolution of their equipment.
