Hanwha Aerospace wins contract to develop new UAV engine

An artist's rendering of a new 1,400 hp turboprop aircraft engine that Hanwha Aerospace will develop for South Korea's Medium-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. (Hanwha Aerospace)

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has awarded Hanwha Aerospace a new contract to develop a more powerful engine for South Korea's Medium-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MUAV).

Currently powered by a single 1,200 hp turboprop engine, the MUAV is emerging as a South Korean alternative to the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAV. The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) operates four Global Hawk UAVs and is on track to receive MUAVs.

According to Hanwha Aerospace, the contract calls for the development of a new 1,400 hp engine prototype for the MUAV by 2028. The programme, hosted by ADD, is known as the ‘propeller-driven aircraft engine prototype development and engine certification demonstration technology', Hanwha Aerospace said on 1 June.

“It is also planned to develop engine quality certification and demonstration technology at the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) level in preparation for future airworthiness certification of UAVs,” the company added.

The contract is in line with Hanwha Aerospace's long-term plan to expand its aircraft engine production. In an April 2025 presentation, the company said it plans to invest KRW300 billion (USD221 million) in 2025–26 to enter the UAV market with small engine capabilities due to the rapid growth of the unmanned aircraft sector.

On 1 June, the company added that its collaboration with ADD will allow it to “expand the line-up of UAV engines using its own technology”.