US Army procurement official inspects Hanwha’s K9 production
Brent G. Ingram, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, visited Hanwha Aerospace’s facility in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, on August 26. The American delegation inspected the company’s production facilities for artillery systems, Korea Herald reports.
The visit took place after Hanwha Defense USA received a contract from the U.S. Army to supply K9 Mobile Howitzer prototypes for the Mobile Tactical Cannon program. The program is linked to the modernization of the U.S. Army.
Automated production
The delegation visited the production line for the wheeled version of the K9 howitzer and reviewed automated processes, including robotic welding. Hanwha said these technologies are used to support mass production and quality control.
The company also demonstrated the mobility of wheeled and tracked K9 self-propelled howitzers. U.S. Army representatives were shown the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system, the M-SAM and L-SAM air defense systems, the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, and the Korean Vertical Launch System.
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Defense cooperation
According to Hanwha, the participants in the visit showed interest in the company’s automated production, manufacturing capabilities and management systems. The sides also discussed expanding bilateral defense cooperation to support the modernization of the U.S. Army.
Ingram leads the U.S. Army’s acquisition portfolio, which covers more than 550 programs with a combined portfolio of approximately $170 billion. Before his appointment to his current position, he held senior acquisition positions at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Hanwha Defense USA CEO Michael Coulter said defense cooperation has become an important component of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, which has been the foundation of peace and security for more than 70 years.
