Oct 202627
Hanwha Defense USA agrees to buy Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Seller: Hanwha Systems
Philadelphia shipyard being transitioned to a dual-use yard building for the U.S. Navy and commercial customers.
UndisclosedPending
Company
Hanwha Defense USA
Hanwha Defense USA brings Hanwha's land, sea and air defense systems to the U.S. military and builds U.S. production capacity for them. ↗
| Headquarters | Arlington, VA ↗ |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Michael Coulter, President and CEO ↗; Mike Smith, COO and President, Land Systems ↗; Tom Anderson, President, U.S. Shipbuilding ↗ |
| Department of War obligations | $6 million in prime contracts since fiscal 2022 ↗ |
| Ownership | Subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace ↗; Special Security Agreement ↗ |
| Website | hanwhadefenseusa.com ↗ |
Products
- The XM1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon is the American version of Hanwha's K9 Mobile Howitzer. ↗
- The K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer is offered in K9A1, K9A2 and K9A3 variants. ↗
- The K10 is an ammunition resupply vehicle. ↗
- Chunmoo is a multiple rocket launcher system. ↗
- KVLS is the Korean Vertical Launching System. ↗
- Redback is an infantry fighting vehicle. ↗
- NSMV is a multi-mission vessel. ↗
- Hanwha Defense USA offers fuzes for artillery, mortar and rocket applications. ↗
- The company plans a $2.2 billion munitions manufacturing campus at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas, expected to create close to 400 jobs over seven years. ↗
Customers
- The U.S. Army has ordered a total of nine prototype wheeled XM1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon systems, with an option for nine more, as announced Oct. 12, 2026. ↗
- The Mobile Tactical Cannon award, announced Aug. 18, 2026, is the company's first major contract with the U.S. Army. ↗
- The company was awarded a lease solicitation for a munitions campus at the Army's Pine Bluff Arsenal in January 2026. ↗
Deals since 2020
Our coverage
- Industry · ShipbuildingHanwha Philly Shipyard names Hyuk Kim president to lead naval expansionThe Hanwha Ocean veteran takes charge as the yard adds defense work to its commercial business, with capacity and workforce development among his stated priorities.
- Industry · ShipbuildingTOTE selects Hanwha Defense USA to build $269 million Medium Landing ShipThe Philadelphia award includes options for three additional vessels. TOTE remains in contract discussions with Bollinger Shipyards and Fincantieri Marinette Marine.
- M&A · ShipbuildingHanwha Defense USA to acquire control of Philly ShipyardThe planned transfer from Hanwha Systems would shift control of the Hanwha-owned yard to the defense unit already sharing a Navy design project with it.
- Industry · Industrial baseHanwha Defense USA plans U.S. supply chain for Army’s XM1776 cannon, DefenseScoop reportsDefenseScoop reports that the Army’s nine prototypes are on overseas production lines; a full program of record would require the cannons to be made entirely in the United States.
- Contracts · New entrantHanwha's Philadelphia shipyard wins subcontract to build Missile Defense Agency tracking shipThe work reaches the Hanwha-owned yard through the Transportation Department's Maritime Administration. TOTE Services, which manages the build, did not disclose the subcontract's value.