Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s defense company, has made its debut at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a prominent international security forum held annually in Singapore. This marks the first time a Korean defense firm has participated in the event, signaling Hanwha’s growing efforts to engage with the global security and defense communities.
Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense, represented the company during the three-day forum, which began on May 31. The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), brings together defense leaders and senior officials from Asia, the U.S., and Europe to discuss key security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
At this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, Hanwha Aerospace took the opportunity to deepen international defense ties by engaging with both government and industry leaders. Michael Coulter, President of Hanwha Global Defense, met with high-level officials from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Malaysia, and Finland. These meetings aimed to explore strategic cooperation in response to evolving global security challenges.
Coulter also held talks with executives from major global defense companies, including BAE Systems and Palantir. The discussions centered on potential collaborations in advanced defense technologies and integrated security systems. By connecting with leading industry players, Hanwha is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global defense market.
Hanwha Aerospace emphasized that its participation in the forum shows the company’s increasing influence beyond South Korea. The move also suggests that Korean defense companies are gaining broader recognition—not just as exporters of defense equipment but as active contributors to global security dialogue and policy-making.
Company officials noted that the Shangri-La Dialogue serves as an important platform for shaping defense strategies across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. By attending, Hanwha Aerospace signaled its commitment to playing a larger role in promoting regional and international security cooperation.
Looking ahead, Coulter reaffirmed Hanwha’s intention to respond proactively to shifts in the global security landscape. “We aim to strengthen our strategic partnerships worldwide and serve as a trusted partner in building sustainable defense systems,” he said. The company plans to continue expanding its global footprint through innovation and collaboration with both governments and private-sector defense leaders.
