[비즈한국] Hanwha Aerospace012450 is set to participate in 'IDEX (International Defence Exhibition) 2025', which will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 17th. In particular, the company is attracting attention as it is known that there is a high possibility of exporting its wheeled armored vehicle, 'Tigon', targeting the Middle Eastern market, including Saudi Arabia.
According to the defense industry, Hanwha Aerospace plans to set up a joint booth with Hanwha Systems272210 at 'IDEX 2025'. Major exhibition items are reportedly similar to the 2023 exhibition, including the Tigon wheeled armored vehicle and the Redback infantry fighting vehicle. Notably, the company has been further expanding its presence in the Middle East market since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for defense cooperation with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of National Guard in February of last year.
The Saudi military is currently pursuing a next-generation wheeled armored vehicle project to purchase over 600 units, and it is reported that Hanwha Aerospace is competing for this contract.
Hanwha Aerospace's 'Tigon' wheeled armored vehicle is a significantly evolved model of the 'Black Fox' armored vehicle, which was created during the Doosan DST era for the wheeled armored vehicle business. It is similar in size and weight to the K808 and K806 models from its competitor, Hyundai Rotem064350.
A key feature of the Tigon is its reinforced add-on armor, which is installed not only on the front of the hull but also on the underbody. It incorporates a design that disperses explosive pressure, protecting the crew from mines or explosives equivalent to 8kg of TNT. Its engine also boasts 525 horsepower, which is more powerful than the K808.
Hanwha Aerospace is currently pushing for an upgrade to the Tigon, as its competitor, Hyundai Rotem, has unveiled the 'N-WAV' armored vehicle, which integrates the latest technology.
The so-called 'Tigon eX', which Hanwha Aerospace intends to showcase as an upgrade to the existing Tigon, plans to enhance performance by adding the latest technology and new equipment to a newly manufactured 8x8 Tigon armored vehicle. In particular, the Tigon eX is expected to be modified to carry more powerful armor and equipment by being equipped with a 700-horsepower engine.
Hanwha Aerospace is aiming directly at the Middle Eastern export market by leading with the Tigon and Tigon eX, which have the advantage of being able to be developed into various variants, including anti-tank self-propelled guns, mortars, command vehicles, assault vehicles, medical evacuation vehicles, anti-tank missile vehicles, and artillery command vehicles.
The strongest competitor in this Saudi next-generation wheeled armored vehicle project is the wheeled armored vehicle from the Chinese company Norinco. Although Chinese companies have been actively participating in the Saudi armored vehicle project, it is reported that the Saudi Army evaluates the Tigon as being a level above the Chinese vehicles.
When the Saudi military purchased the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system from Hanwha Aerospace in the past, it also purchased a small number of Tigons for command purposes. Since then, they have reportedly held the Tigon in high regard, even requesting that Hanwha Aerospace initiate consultations for the development and export of an improved version.
Kim Min-seok, a researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), explained, "While Hanwha Aerospace has been strictly tight-lipped about its Saudi export business, there are several suspected candidates. In addition to technical cooperation for the production of the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the Biho-II air defense system, the export possibility of Hanwha Aerospace's Tigon wheeled armored vehicle to Saudi Arabia is being raised significantly."