Key Points:
- Hanwha Aerospace signed a deal to develop anti-drone systems.
- The agreement was finalized at the World Defense Show in Riyadh.
- Frankenburg Technologies will build the missiles and control software.
- The new tech will protect Hanwha’s next-generation armored command vehicles.
Hanwha Aerospace announced on Tuesday that it is teaming up with an Estonian missile company to fight threats from the sky. The South Korean defense giant signed a memorandum of understanding with Frankenburg Technologies to jointly develop a new system designed to shoot down unmanned aircraft.
The two companies made the agreement official on Monday at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This massive event gathers military manufacturers from across the globe to showcase the latest technology. Hanwha and Frankenburg used the venue to solidify their plans for the future of land warfare.
The main goal of this partnership is to create a “counter-unmanned aircraft system” (C-UAS). As drones become more common and dangerous on modern battlefields, armies need better ways to stop them. Hanwha plans to install this new technology on its next-generation command armored vehicles, which are currently in development.
Under the deal, the two companies will split the work based on their strengths. Hanwha Aerospace will handle the integration, meaning they will figure out how to fit the system onto their heavy vehicles. Frankenburg Technologies will focus on the weapons themselves. They will build the guided missiles, the launchers, and the fire control software needed to hit moving targets in the air.
Kim Dong-hyeon, the head of Hanwha’s land systems division, said the deal is a major step forward. He explained that protecting soldiers from drone attacks is essential for the survivability of their equipment. He believes this partnership will make their land weapon systems much more competitive in the global market.
This agreement continues a strong trend of cooperation between Hanwha and Estonia. The South Korean firm first established ties with the Baltic nation by selling K9 self-propelled howitzers in 2020. More recently, they supplied the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system in late 2025.
Hanwha is also working with other Estonian companies. They previously signed agreements with Milrem Robotics, Nortal, and SensusQ. By deepening these relationships, Hanwha is securing a strong foothold in the European defense market while advancing its own technology.
