Hanwha Systems has launched a new phase of its collaboration with Austrian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specialist Schiebel, accelerating the development of next-generation air communication UAVs for domestic and international markets.
On the 18th, Hanwha Systems held a kick-off meeting with Schiebel at Schiebel Korea’s office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, marking the start of detailed business and development activities for the next-generation platform.
The initiative builds on an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two companies in Austria last May. Through the partnership, Hanwha Systems and Schiebel aim to combine advanced communications and avionics technologies with a globally proven UAV platform to strengthen their competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global drone market.
Air communication UAVs function as “flying base stations,” integrating advanced avionics equipment—including 5G base stations and aerial relay communication systems—onto unmanned aircraft. The systems are designed to establish seamless tactical communications between ground and air assets across a wide range of battlefield environments.
At the centre of the collaboration is the combination of Hanwha Systems’ high-performance communications and avionics technologies with Schiebel’s established UAV platform. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, Schiebel has built a global network supplying UAV systems to more than 40 military and government agencies worldwide.
By integrating Hanwha Systems’ advanced avionics equipment into Schiebel’s UAV platforms, the companies expect to create new opportunities for direct overseas market entry and the export of Korean-developed avionics technologies through global UAV programs.
The expanded partnership also marks a significant broadening of cooperation between the two companies. While previous joint activities focused primarily on naval applications, the new initiative extends into advanced research and development for Army operations and ground-based maneouvres.
Since 2023, Hanwha Systems has participated as a system integrator in Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps UAV programmes utilizing Schiebel’s S-300 rotary-wing UAV. Building on accumulated operational experience and data, the companies now plan to jointly develop next-generation communication technologies optimized for land operations.
The approach is expected to significantly reduce development time and costs compared with developing an entirely new UAV platform, while enhancing global price competitiveness through the use of a proven airframe and integrated advanced technologies.
A key focus of the development programme will be electronic warfare countermeasures and communication survivability—capabilities that have become increasingly critical in modern conflicts. Hanwha Systems plans to apply its expertise to technologies designed to maintain UAV operations and tactical communications in contested electromagnetic environments.
The company is developing ultra-compact, lightweight 5G radio frequency (RF) base station modules suitable for small UAVs, along with high-reliability navigation technologies and optimization solutions designed to help maintain aircraft positioning and communications networks even under powerful enemy jamming.
“Through strengthened mid- to long-term cooperation with Schiebel, we aim to take a leading role in the rapidly changing global drone market and advance next-generation UAV technologies,”
a Hanwha Systems official said.
“We will demonstrate the technological capabilities of Korean-developed avionics equipment while simultaneously expanding opportunities for domestic adoption and overseas exports.”
The partnership represents another step in Hanwha Systems’ strategy to expand its presence in the global defence UAV market by combining indigenous advanced technologies with internationally established platforms and distribution networks.
Photo: Jang Bo-seop (right), head of Hanwha Systems’ C5ISR Business Center, shakes hands with Michael Schiller, PM overseeing Schiebel’s shipborne and northwest islands programs and head of Schiebel Korea, at the kickoff meeting for next-generation aerial communications drone collaboration held on the 18th. Photo courtesy of Hanwha Systems
Source: Hanwha