South Korea’s Hanwha Systems has taken a major step toward participating in the development of a new UAE Air Defense System, strengthening defense cooperation between South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
The company announced that it signed a term sheet with EDGE Group in Abu Dhabi on September 15. The agreement outlines plans for future cooperation on an integrated air defense system and establishes a framework for detailed reviews and project development in the coming years.
Executives from both companies attended the signing ceremony, which marks a significant milestone in efforts to expand defense collaboration between the two countries. The agreement provides guidance on the introduction of defense technologies and weapon systems while creating a foundation for future joint projects.
Under the arrangement, Hanwha Systems and EDGE Group will develop detailed business plans in stages. The companies said future progress will follow the defense cooperation policies of both governments and will require consultation and approval through official channels.
A key part of the cooperation involves the possible creation of a local joint venture in the UAE. The companies plan to review that option after completing government approval procedures. Such a venture could support local production, maintenance and technology development activities within the country.
The project also includes a localization strategy aimed at strengthening the UAE’s domestic defense industry. By expanding local production and support capabilities, the partners hope to contribute to the country’s long-term defense self-reliance goals.
Hanwha Systems has steadily increased its presence in the Middle East in recent years. The company first entered the UAE defense market in 2022 and later expanded its regional footprint through additional agreements in neighboring countries.
Its growing role has been supported by exports connected to the Cheongung-II air defense system, a medium-range surface-to-air missile platform developed in South Korea. Hanwha supplied key components for the system, including multifunction radar technology and launch systems, through defense agreements in the region.
The company supplied related systems to Saudi Arabia in 2024 and Iraq in 2025, helping establish its position as a supplier of advanced air defense technology in the Middle East.
Through the new partnership with EDGE Group, Hanwha aims to expand its role beyond individual equipment sales. The company is seeking to help develop a broader air defense network capable of protecting against threats at different ranges.
The planned UAE Air Defense System would support a layered defense approach. Such systems are designed to detect, track and respond to threats across short, medium and long distances through the integration of multiple technologies and platforms.
Hanwha also expects the project to complement other defense systems within its portfolio, including ground-based platforms such as the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher. Linking these capabilities could create a more comprehensive defensive network.
Hanwha Systems Chief Executive Officer Yang Ki-won described the agreement as an important turning point in the relationship between the two companies. He said the cooperation moves beyond a traditional supplier-customer arrangement and focuses on sharing technology and industrial expertise.
Yang added that the company intends to contribute to strengthening the UAE’s defense foundation through technology cooperation and localization efforts.
EDGE Group has also highlighted the importance of the partnership. The company views the project as part of a broader effort to increase domestic defense capabilities and expand local industrial capacity.
EDGE Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Al Marar said the cooperation is focused on enhancing the UAE’s independent defense capabilities while supporting the growth of its local defense industry. He noted that both companies are working toward a long-term framework for sustainable industrial collaboration.
The agreement reflects a wider trend of growing defense cooperation between Middle Eastern nations and international defense manufacturers. Countries across the region continue to invest in advanced air defense systems as they seek to strengthen security and modernize military capabilities.
While detailed project timelines have not yet been announced, the signing of the term sheet establishes a formal path forward. If government approvals and consultations proceed as planned, the UAE Air Defense System project could become one of the most significant defense cooperation initiatives between South Korea and the UAE in recent years.
