Long-term strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia: Exclusive interview with Song Il, President of Hanwha Aerospace for the Middle East and Africa
The Arab Defense Team conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Song Il, President of Hanwha Aerospace for the Middle East and Africa, on the occasion of the official opening of the company's new regional headquarters in Riyadh.This strategic move marks a significant turning point in Hanwha Aerospace's expansion into the Middle East and North Africa, positioning Saudi Arabia at a pivotal position within its long-term vision for defense cooperation, industrial localization, and industrial partnership building.
In this interview, Mr. Song Il shares his vision on the strategic importance of the regional headquarters in Riyadh, and its compatibility with Saudi Vision 2030. He also shares Hanwha's plans to provide advanced defense solutions, enhance technology transfer, and build sustainable partnerships in the region. It shows how Hanwa seeks to balance global competitiveness with deep localization, and its vision of itself not only as a defense resource, but as a reliable long-term partner for the Kingdom and the entire region.
Q1: What is the strategic importance of establishing the Regional Headquarters (RHQ)?
A1: The regional headquarters in Riyadh elevates Hanwha Aerospace's status from a mere supplier to a sustainable strategic partner in the Middle East. It provides a leadership and coordination platform for integrating partnerships, accelerating industrial cooperation, and supporting defense modernization efforts in the region. At the same time, it connects the Middle East to the company's global R&D, production and supply networks, making the region an integral part of our global strategy.
Q2: Why was Saudi Arabia chosen to establish the regional headquarters?
A2: Saudi Arabia is the geopolitical center of the Middle East, and constitutes an essential link with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and global supply chains. The Kingdom is leading the way in modernizing defense and diversifying industry, thanks to Vision 2030. As a leading country in security and defense cooperation, Saudi Arabia is the ideal location for our regional headquarters. From Riyadh, we will consolidate our partnerships and expand cooperation to include the entire Middle East and North Africa region.
Q3: How does the regional headquarters align with Saudi Vision 2030?
A3: Vision 2030 emphasizes industry diversification, technological self-sufficiency, and job creation. Hanwha supports this vision through investment in local production, technology transfer, maintenance, repair and development (MRO) facilities, and training programmes. This contributes not only to strengthening the Kingdom's defense capabilities, but also to developing its industrial base and achieving sustainable economic growth.
Q4: What are the most prominent capabilities that Hanwa will provide to the region?
A4: Hanwha offers a comprehensive range of solutions covering land, sea, air and space. In the Middle East, we focus on ground systems such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer (battle-mounted fire and kinetic force) and the "Tigon" armored vehicle (multi-mission), along with advanced air defense systems such as M-SAM and L-SAM, radars, and precision-guided munitions. We are also ready to cooperate in space fields such as satellite systems, space launch vehicles, and avionics. In addition, the Hanwha Group has diverse activities in energy, chemicals, materials and finance, giving us industrial capabilities and broader partnership opportunities. All of this enables us to contribute to the security of the region and achieve self-sufficiency, and not only that, but also to long-term economic development.
Q5: How important is localization and industrial cooperation in your strategy?
A5: Localization is the core of Hanwha's global strategy. In Australia, we have established a local factory; in Poland, we are implementing massive defense programs through strong local partnerships; and in Romania, we are preparing to invest in future localization initiatives. Based on this path, we will apply the same model in Saudi Arabia and the region, to enhance the flexibility of supply chains, ensure technology transfer, and create jobs, thus promoting sustainable joint growth.
Q6: How does the regional headquarters fit into Hanwha's global defense strategy?
A6: Hanwha Aerospace is a major subsidiary of Hanwha Group, a Fortune Global 500 company, and implements a "multinational" strategy around the world. The regional headquarters in Riyadh integrates the Middle East into our global network alongside Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, ensuring that Saudi Arabia and the region have direct access to our R&D, production and supply networks.
Q7: What are Hanwha's future plans in the Middle East?
A7: Our vision is to be a reliable and long-term partner for the region. We will work on joint research and development projects, training programs, and expanding industrial participation, in addition to expanding the scope of cooperation to include other fields such as clean energy, advanced materials, and space. The regional headquarters will play the role of the central hub for coordinating all these strategic initiatives.
Q8: Why "Hanwa"? What makes it a distinguished and reliable partner?
A8: Hanwha is a Fortune Global 500 group and the seventh largest conglomerate in South Korea, with a diverse industrial group that includes defense, energy, materials, and finance. Hanwha Aerospace is the group's defense arm, offering advanced solutions across land, sea, air, and space. Our proven track record in localization programs in markets such as Australia, Poland, Romania, and the United States proves that we are not just a supplier, but a long-term strategic partner. What distinguishes us is the combination of technological expertise, the ability to cooperate industrially, and financial stability, factors that make us a reliable and unique partner.
Q9: How does Hanwha plan to balance technology transfer with maintaining competitiveness in the presence of strong global competitors?
A9: Technology transfer is not just the delivery of documents, but a cumulative process based on experience, trial and error, and the sharing of practical knowledge. Unlike some countries that are reluctant to share advanced technologies, Korea has developed strong domestic capabilities. Our goal is to gradually build Saudi Arabia's capabilities, from basic levels to advanced cooperation over time. The ultimate goal is for the Kingdom to have its own technological expertise supported by Hanwha's expertise.
Q10: Saudi Arabia has a diverse mix of air defense systems from China, Europe, and the United States. How do Hanwha technologies fit into this reality?
A10: This is an important question. In Korea, our defense forces operate American, French, and Korean systems simultaneously. We have developed the ability to integrate these different platforms into a unified system. Hanwha provides solutions that enable multiple systems, whether American (PAC-3), Korean (M-SAM and L-SAM) or European, to be connected and operated within a single integrated network. This capability is one of the most important solutions we can offer to Saudi Arabia.
Q11: Will Hanwha adapt its products to suit Middle Eastern conditions, or will they remain as they were designed in Korea?
A11: Technically, we are already testing and operating our systems in different environments ranging from harsh polar climates to very high temperatures. We recognize the challenges posed by the Middle East climate, and trust our ability to adapt and improve our products to meet those requirements. In short, yes, our systems are fully tested, and we are committed to ensuring their reliable performance in difficult circumstances within the Kingdom.