Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s premier aerospace and defense company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Malaysian investment firm Widad Business Group to collaborate on a project to supply multiple rocket launchers to the Malaysian Army. This non-binding agreement, penned during the Defence Service Asia (DSA) Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, sets the stage for future cooperation in defense technology enhancements.
The MOU was formalized by Go Sang-hwe, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace, and Tan Sri Dato Muhammad lkmal Opat Abdullah, Chairman of Widad Business Group, amidst high-profile attendees including Malaysian and South Korean defense officials. This partnership underscores Hanwha’s commitment to advancing Malaysia’s military capabilities through strategic alliances.
Malaysia aims to upgrade its artillery capacities by replacing its aging Astros II rocket systems with Hanwha’s K239 Chunmoo, a sophisticated, self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system renowned for its versatility and employed by various nations globally. This initiative is part of Malaysia’s broader defense modernization to bolster its strategic defense infrastructure by 2026.
The K239 Chunmoo is noted for its adaptability, capable of launching multiple types of rockets and missiles, thereby meeting diverse operational demands. Its effectiveness was recently demonstrated in a test launch in South Korea, underscoring its potential benefits for Malaysia’s defense strategy. This partnership marks a significant step in bilateral defense cooperation, potentially leading to more robust defense ties and technological exchanges between Malaysia and South Korea.
