UAE firms sign exclusive pact with Hanwha Aviation to manufacture K9 155mm howitzer
Generation 5 and Hanwha Aviation agree exclusive partnership to manufacture and market the K9 155mm howitzer in the UAE and region, announced at Eurosatory 2026.
Generation 5 Holding and South Korea’s Hanwha Aviation signed an exclusive cooperation agreement to manufacture and market the K9 155mm howitzer in the United Arab Emirates and the wider region. The deal, announced on the sidelines of Eurosatory 2026 in Paris (June 15–19, 2026), formalises a strategic industrial collaboration aimed at technology transfer, local production and long‑term operational support.
Agreement signed at Eurosatory 2026
The memorandum was signed during Eurosatory 2026, the global defence and security exhibition held in Paris from June 15 to June 19, 2026. Generation 5’s managing director, Dr. Khalifa Murad Al Bloushi, and Il Seong, President of Hanwha Aviation for the Middle East and Africa, completed the agreement in a ceremony on the show floor.
Organisers and company statements described the pact as an exclusive cooperation covering joint manufacturing and regional marketing for the K9 155mm howitzer, marking what both parties called a first‑of‑its‑kind industrial arrangement in the region.
Scope covers manufacturing and marketing of the K9 155mm howitzer
Under the terms outlined by the companies, the partnership targets localised manufacture of the K9 155mm howitzer and coordinated commercial efforts across regional markets. The agreement commits both firms to shared responsibilities for production, supply chain integration and aftermarket services for the artillery system.
Generation 5 and Hanwha Aviation said the arrangement will support the full lifecycle of the K9 platform in the UAE, from assembly and component fabrication to maintenance and operational sustainment for end users.
Technology transfer and industrial capability building
Generation 5 framed the deal as central to its strategy of acquiring advanced defence technologies and scaling domestic manufacturing capabilities. The company emphasised that technology transfer and workforce development are core objectives of the collaboration.
Hanwha Aviation described its role as providing technical expertise, systems knowledge and long‑term support arrangements designed to ensure operational readiness. Both parties signalled intentions to implement training programmes and local supplier development to deepen industrial participation.
Statements from company leadership
Dr. Khalifa Murad Al Bloushi said the partnership reflects Generation 5’s drive to “localise advanced defence technologies, boost manufacturing competitiveness and deliver high‑performance artillery systems that meet national and regional requirements.” He highlighted the aim of combining shared industrial expertise to produce systems that conform to international standards.
Il Seong commented that Hanwha Aviation is committed to “sustainable partnerships that bring value to host nations,” and framed the cooperation as an important step toward expanding industrial collaboration and knowledge exchange in the UAE. He added that the company will support long‑term operational needs for end users in the region.
Regional market and strategic implications
Industry analysts say the agreement positions the UAE to strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing base and to become a regional hub for selected platforms. Local production of the K9 155mm howitzer could reduce acquisition lead times and support regional customers seeking co‑production and sustainment options.
The move also aligns with broader national objectives to develop sovereign defence capabilities and to attract foreign direct investment into high‑technology sectors. For Hanwha Aviation, the partnership provides a strategic foothold in the Gulf, enabling closer collaboration with regional militaries and governments.
Implementation milestones and next steps
Both companies stated that the agreement establishes a framework for detailed technical planning, facility assessments and workforce training initiatives. Immediate next steps include joint engineering studies, supply‑chain mapping and the creation of implementation schedules to localise production where feasible.
Officials indicated that further commercial terms and certification processes will be worked through in the coming months, with operational support packages to be defined according to customer requirements and international regulations.
The exclusive partnership between Generation 5 and Hanwha Aviation to manufacture and market the K9 155mm howitzer represents a notable development in Gulf defence industrialisation, combining foreign technical expertise with local manufacturing ambitions to support UAE national goals and regional market demand.