South Korea Military Signs $200Mn Contract with Hanwha for Air-defence gun

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signed a 250 billion-won ($200 million) contract with Hanwha Defense Co. to buy the 30-mm anti-aircraft gun wheeled vehicle system (AAGW) for the country’s military.

The newly developed AAGW will replace the Vulcan air defence artillery starting next year,  Yonhap reported quoting DAPA officials. The Vulcan has been in service for more than 30 years with the S Korean army and air force.

AAGW has a firing range of 3 kilometers, 1.6 times longer than the Vulcan. It requires 18 personnel for company-level operation, versus 48 for the Vulcan.

It is equipped with an Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS) developed by Hanwha Systems Co., one of around 200 firms, mostly South Korean ones that have formed a team for the development program.

The AAGW makes localized support and self-targeting functionalities possible through electron optical targeting systems and visual targeting systems, according to Hanwha Defense information.

Its key features are: Air Defense C2A System, Local Air Defense Radar, Synchronized Operation with Airfield Anti-Aircraft Control System. It is loaded with Electron Optical Targeting Systems (EOTS) and a Visual Targeting System enabling Automatic Tracking and Self-Targeting Capabilities.

The Hanwha AAGW will replace the Vulcon M163 which is a self propelled variant of the General Dynamics 20mm M61 rotary cannon mounted in most US aircraft since the '60s used for air defense.