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Hyundai Wia makes European defense debut with AI-based weapon system, mobile artillery
Hyundai Wia's lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer is on display at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris / Courtesy of Hyundai Wia
By Lee Kyung-min
Hyundai Wia is taking its defense ambitions to Europe, unveiling a lineup of artillery and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered weapon systems at one of the world’s largest defense exhibitions as the company seeks a bigger role in the continent’s military modernization drive.
The company said Tuesday it is participating for the first time in Eurosatory 2026, a major international defense exhibition being held from Sunday through Thursday at the Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre in Paris.
More than 2,100 companies from 70 countries are taking part in this year’s event, according to Hyundai Wia.
At the center of the company’s display is a lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer mounted on a light tactical vehicle.
Hyundai Wia said the system weighs less than half as much as wheeled self-propelled artillery currently deployed by the Korean military while maintaining a maximum firing range of 18 kilometers.
The system is designed to operate alongside a fire-control vehicle and an ammunition transport vehicle, allowing rapid deployment and battlefield support.
The company said the platform can also be transported by helicopter, enabling operations in areas that are difficult to reach by road.
Hyundai Wia is also showcasing its Remote Control Weapon System (RCWS), a remotely operated weapon platform that allows operators to monitor combat situations and engage targets from protected positions.
The company said all of its RCWS platforms feature AI-based automatic target-tracking algorithms designed to improve detection and identification capabilities.
A Hyundai Wia official said the company plans to use the exhibition as a springboard to expand artillery exports across Europe.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.