Hanwha has officially declared its entry into the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) business, which is widely regarded as a game-changer on future battlefields. The company plans to secure a future foothold for South Korea’s defense exports by investing preemptively in next-generation defense technologies.
On Wednesday, Hanwha Aerospace announced it will collaborate with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA), a global UAV specialist, on the joint development of the Gray Eagle-STOL (GE-STOL), a short take-off and landing (STOL) UAV.
GA is a leading fixed-wing UAV manufacturer renowned for developing and deploying high-performance drones such as the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. It supplies UAVs to NATO, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and other key allied nations.
Hanwha stated that the collaboration will span the entire UAV lifecycle—from planning, design, and development to integration, production, operation, and sales—forming a comprehensive partnership with GA.
The GE-STOL, jointly developed by the two companies, has a maximum take-off and landing distance of only a few hundred meters, making it operable in restricted environments such as short runways or aircraft carriers with flight decks. With a payload capacity of 1.6 tons, the GE-STOL can perform various missions, including reconnaissance and strike operations, depending on the equipment installed.
In November 2024, the Republic of Korea Navy successfully completed a test flight of the GE-STOL from the ROKS Dokdo, a large amphibious assault ship.
Hanwha Aerospace estimates that more than $510 million will be needed to develop UAV systems and engines and for facility construction. Of the funds recently secured through a capital increase, approximately $204 million will be allocated to UAV-related projects.
Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong Kwan stated that securing UAV capabilities is essential for autonomous national defense and expanding the future of South Korean defense exports. He emphasized that the company will try to acquire advanced defense technologies through bold investments.
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