[Edaily Reporter Park Min-woong ] HANWHA AEROSPACE has moved to expand defense cooperation, focusing on local production and joint development in Europe, in conjunction with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit. As the South Korean government unveiled its “Korea-NATO Defense Cooperation 2.0” initiative, HANWHA AEROSPACE introduced its localization strategy while discussing plans to strengthen its European production base and expand supply chain cooperation.

HANWHA AEROSPACE announced on the 8th that a delegation participated in the NATO Defense Industry Forum held in Ankara, Türkiye, on the 7th (local time). The NATO Defense Industry Forum is a side event of the NATO Summit in the defense sector, serving as a platform for representatives from member governments, global defense companies, and policy institutions to discuss security issues and industrial cooperation.

During a panel session at the forum, Jacek Cirek, Head of HANWHA AEROSPACE’s European Branch, emphasized the need to expand defense cooperation between NATO member states and Indo-Pacific partner countries (IP4).

“New technologies, new threats, and a changing geopolitical environment are transforming the way we view defense, deterrence, and resilience,” said Mr. Cirek. “To strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities, it is becoming increasingly important to go beyond simply procuring equipment and focus on establishing stable supply chains, strengthening local production capabilities, and building joint development and co-production systems.”

He continued, “Technology delivers its greatest value when built on trust, shared goals, and strong partnerships,” adding, “HANWHA AEROSPACE is committed to strengthening each country’s self-defense capabilities, expanding industrial cooperation, and contributing to the creation of a stronger and more resilient NATO defense ecosystem.”

HANWHA AEROSPACE also highlighted examples of local production and technology cooperation currently underway in Poland and Romania. In Poland, the company has established a framework for technical cooperation and joint production based on the K9 self-propelled howitzer and Cheonmu projects, and is currently pursuing the establishment of a joint venture (JV) for missile co-production and the construction of a modular charge system (MCS) production facility. In Romania, it is constructing production facilities for ground weapons, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, and is expanding joint development and technical cooperation in Northern Europe, Germany, and France, the company explained.

The forum also presented plans to enhance defense cooperation between South Korea and NATO. In his keynote address, President Lee Jae-myung proposed a “South Korea-NATO Defense Cooperation Partnership 2.0” and called for expanding cooperation—which had previously focused on existing weapons systems—to include joint research and development, joint production, joint operations, and long-term industrial cooperation. He also emphasized that combining South Korea’s production capabilities and technological expertise with NATO’s know-how would further enhance the security capabilities of both sides.

On the same day, HANWHA AEROSPACE hosted a networking reception, inviting approximately 150 attendees, including representatives from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), a U.S. congressional delegation, global defense companies, think tanks, and media representatives.

Attendees discussed cooperation strategies—including strengthening Europe’s defense production base, enhancing supply chain resilience, and expanding joint production—and laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation through exchanges among government officials, industry representatives, and think tanks.