The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, August 10, 2022 | 23:34
Defense
Hanwha's K9 draws attention in Egypt defense exhibition
Posted : 2021-11-30 17:36
Updated : 2021-12-01 08:57
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
A K9 self-propelled howitzer is on display at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2021, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, Monday. Joint Press Corps
A K9 self-propelled howitzer is on display at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2021, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, Monday. Joint Press Corps

By Jung Da-min, Joint Press Corps

CAIRO ― Hanwha Defense's showcasing of its K9 self-propelled howitzer at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2021, the biggest defense exhibition event in the region, has drawn a lot of attention not just among participants of the exhibition including members of the Egyptian military but also among defense watchers in Korea.

The huge attention to Hanwha's K9 was partly because of the fact that the Egyptian Armed Forces are considering acquiring a package of K9s and support vehicles. If the deal goes through, the K9 would make its debut on the African defense market. Defense watchers are also paying attention to whether the possible deal could pave the way for local companies to gain standing in the African and Middle Eastern defense markets.

The K9 is popular in various regions around the world, with 1,700 in service in seven countries ― Korea, Turkey, India, Poland, Finland, Norway and Estonia; while Australia is in final negotiations to adopt an Australian version of the K9.

Korean defense firms eyeing Africa, Middle East markets
Korean defense firms eyeing Africa, Middle East markets
2021-11-30 12:00  |  Defense

A K9 self-propelled howitzer is on display at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2021, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, Monday. Joint Press Corps
Hanwha Defense President and CEO Son Jae-il / Captured from Hanwha Defense's YouTube channel

"Since the K9 is already the global No. 1 self-propelled howitzer operated in seven countries including Korea, there is great interest in African and Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt," Son Jae-il, president and CEO of Hanwha Defense, said during an interview with Korean reporters Monday.

The CEO attributed the K9's success in different markets around the world to a marketing strategy tailored to each country and region. For example, to appeal to the Egyptian market, the company showcased a K9 in desert camouflage.

A K9 self-propelled howitzer is on display at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2021, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, Monday. Joint Press Corps
A K9 self-propelled howitzer is on display at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2021, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, Monday. Joint Press Corps

"We have already completed exports of the K9 to India along with a technology transfer and assistance for local production. We are making efforts to build local production facilities and create a supply chain with local companies in Australia, where negotiations are currently underway. Based on the know-how of such localization programs, we are planning to expand our entry into the Middle Eastern and African markets," Son said.

"Countries in the Middle East and Africa often require defense technology transfer and localization programs. Although they have the financial power, they do not have advanced defense technology and related infrastructure, so they want to receive the technology and know-how of a defense powerhouse such as Korea."

Son said he believes the growth of a country's defense industry also grows the national interest in that it contributes not only to the country's national security but also to the economy by creating more jobs.

"Hanwha Defense has been developing various military combat equipment over the past four decades and has played a pivotal role in enhancing military combat power and revitalizing the domestic defense industry. We feel proud and responsible for taking the lead in entering the global defense industry market with the Korean flag, including the export of the K9 and the entry of the Redback armored vehicle into the Australian market," he said.

"In the future, we will invest more and put more effort into the development of future defense technology. Based on cutting-edge technology related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we plan to focus on the development of future weapons systems such as unmanned ground systems as well as upgrading our existing main products. Through this, we want to help the Korean defense industry achieve competitiveness and international recognition."



Emaildamin.jung@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Capital region to see additional 300 millimeters of rain until Friday
  • North Korea releases water from border dam after downpours
  • [PHOTOS] Damage after torrential rains
  • Visa regulation pits Jeju islanders against justice ministry
  • Canadian YouTuber takes viewers on brewing adventures in Korea
  • China wary of South Korea's US-centered policy
  • Yoon details whereabouts during record downpour to curb conspiracy theory
  • Heavy downpour disrupts e-commerce deliveries
  • Ex-President Lee Myung-bak unlikely to be released
  • Former Starbucks Korea CEO leads growth of Shinsegae brand JAJU
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • BLACKPINK to start world tour in October BLACKPINK to start world tour in October
    • [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration' [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration'
    • 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement
    • 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family' 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family'
    • Crime thriller 'Limit' is about mother's quest to save abducted son Crime thriller 'Limit' is about mother's quest to save abducted son
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group