US Army seals first South Korean CRADA
South Korean group Hanwha on 16 December announced that two of its businesses have signed a ‘major agreement’ with the US military for collaborative R&D of defence technologies.
Hanwha Corporation and Hanwha Defense signed the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) on 10 December with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC).
Under the framework CRADA (the first of its kind between the US Army and a South Korean company), Hanwha and DEVCOM AC will conduct R&D into defence equipment and technologies through exchange of resources, technical expertise and intellectual property.
‘The outcomes of their joint projects will serve to greatly assist both countries’ needs for next-generation weapon and ammunition solutions,’ Hanwha noted.
For Hanwha, the CRADA dovetails with strategy to transfer technologies that can be incorporated into the US defence industrial base. The South Korean company is exploring a number of potential business opportunities in the US, potentially including the revived Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones
More from Defence Notes
-
Rheinmetall vehicle sales almost double as European companies see continued growth
Results for Q1 2025 have been strong across the board for many defence companies in Europe with forward-looking statements and predictions for the full year also looking good.
-
Why is the defence market “exploding exponentially” for autonomous targeting capabilities?
Solutions that identify, engage and destroy targets with minimal or no human intervention are becoming critical on tomorrow’s battlefield.
-
Companies post mostly rosy results but warn of potential dark clouds
First quarter 2025 results have been dropping for companies in the past week but many of the US results come with a health warning in their forward-looking aspects about the potential impact of actions by the Trump administration.
-
Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan
The new plan outlined how Spain would reach 2% of its GDP spend on defence by 2025, with €1.9 billion earmarked for new equipment acquisition with several land, naval and air platforms disclosed to be replaced or upgraded.
-
New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
-
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.