Hanwha Group Partners with Magnet Defense to Develop Unmanned Vessels for U.S. Military

SEOUL, April 21 (Substrate) -- Hanwha Group announced a partnership with U.S.-based Magnet Defense to jointly develop medium unmanned surface vessels for the U.S. military. The memorandum of understanding was signed at the 2026 Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Maryland on Monday, U.S. time.

Hanwha Defense USA, the group's U.S. subsidiary, will collaborate with Magnet Defense on the development and production of these vessels.

The unmanned surface vessels are designed to operate without onboard crews and perform missions including surveillance, logistics, and combat support. The companies plan to produce a 38-meter vessel for potential supply to the Pentagon, based on Magnet Defense's M48 platform integrated with Hanwha's shipbuilding and defense technologies.

The partnership supports Hanwha's efforts to increase its involvement in the U.S. defense industry through local collaborations and manufacturing.

“By partnering with Magnet Defense, Hanwha can utilize its manufacturing capacity and advanced robotics, and pair these capabilities with Magnet Defense's proven autonomy and technology." — Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Defense USA Marc Bell, CEO of Magnet Defense, stated that Hanwha's advanced missile systems combined with Magnet Defense's vessels create a strong combination.”

This agreement follows Hanwha Group's involvement in a U.S.

Navy project as a subcontractor for a next-generation logistics ship, as reported in related coverage. The development focuses on enhancing unmanned naval capabilities for military applications.