US Army seals first South Korean CRADA
South Korean group Hanwha on 16 December announced that two of its businesses have signed a ‘major agreement’ with the US military for collaborative R&D of defence technologies.
Hanwha Corporation and Hanwha Defense signed the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) on 10 December with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC).
Under the framework CRADA (the first of its kind between the US Army and a South Korean company), Hanwha and DEVCOM AC will conduct R&D into defence equipment and technologies through exchange of resources, technical expertise and intellectual property.
‘The outcomes of their joint projects will serve to greatly assist both countries’ needs for next-generation weapon and ammunition solutions,’ Hanwha noted.
For Hanwha, the CRADA dovetails with strategy to transfer technologies that can be incorporated into the US defence industrial base. The South Korean company is exploring a number of potential business opportunities in the US, potentially including the revived Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones
More from Defence Notes
-
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
-
GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
-
How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
-
Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
-
DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
-
Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.