Hanwha’s three defense affiliates—Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Aerospace—are jointly participating in the MADEX 2025 (International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition), held from May 28 to 31 at BEXCO in Busan. The companies are operating the largest integrated exhibition booth at the venue, covering 468 square meters.
At the center of this year’s exhibition is Hanwha’s full lineup of "Integrated Naval Solutions," which spans future combat and export-ready warships, unmanned systems, and lithium-ion battery technologies. The event is expected to showcase the cutting-edge capabilities of Hanwha’s next-generation naval defense technologies.
The highlight of the showcase is the debut of Hanwha Systems’ Combat Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), revealed for the first time in a 1/10 scale model measuring 3.5 meters in length. Unlike traditional reconnaissance-focused unmanned platforms, this combat USV is equipped for direct combat missions, featuring suicide swarm drones and various weapons systems.
Hanwha Systems’ combat USV is the only platform in Korea equipped with advanced swarm operation capabilities, wave-avoidance autonomous navigation, and integration with manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) technology based on low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications. The vessel will also include Hanwha’s proprietary Combat Management System (CMS), proven in operational settings and designed to integrate all sensors and weapons onboard.
The USV integrates core technologies from all three Hanwha affiliates: Hanwha Systems contributed its CMS and MUM-T technologies; Hanwha Ocean brought its expertise in special ship construction; and Hanwha Aerospace provided remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and guided missile launcher technology.
Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean have previously collaborated on the first-phase conceptual design of a combat USV under the direction of the Republic of Korea Navy in 2024—making them the only companies in the country with practical design experience in this area.
Also on display is Hanwha’s suicide unmanned surface vessel, designed for coordinated multi-platform attacks. The AI-powered system can detect and track targets autonomously and is capable of simultaneous strikes against enemy ships in formation.
Two weeks prior to MADEX, a delegation from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff attended a demonstration of Hanwha Systems’ USV “Haeryeong.” According to Hanwha Systems, interest from international military officials in the company’s unmanned naval platforms and technological edge has been steadily increasing.
