Hanwha, KAI to develop SAR satellites for Korean military

Hanwha Systems and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have been awarded contracts by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to develop synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellites by 2027 for the Korean military.

The move marks South Korea's first step towards establishing its own constellation of SAR satellites for monitoring of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters, including North Korea's military activities. SAR is a specialized form of remote sensing that has seen growing demand since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because SAR satellites can capture images at night, through cloud cover and rain -- conditions that impair traditional optical satellites.

Hanwha Systems said May 18 it had signed a contract worth 67.9 billion won ($51.1 million) with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to develop a SAR satellite for technology demonstration. Hanwha plans to launch the satellite into space by June 2027. The SAR satellite Hanwha plans to develop is a thin cuboid, which is relatively lighter than typical SAR satellites and effective to be stacked on a launch vehicle.

“As the civilian space age is in full swing, small SAR satellites are being recognized for their high value as security assets,” said Kim Jung-ho, a Hanwha Systems executive involved in this project. “Hanwha already has the capability to develop 100-kg class small SAR satellites with high resolution and the heritage of operating the SAR platform and ground station in Korea, so we expect to carry out the project successfully.”

KAI also announced that it has signed a 67 billion won-contract with ADD for the development of a SAR satellite. Under the contract, the company is required to complete the satellite’s development and in-orbit demonstration by June 2027. Through the project, KAI said, it plans to expand its medium- to large satellite-focused business portfolio to small satellites. KAI has played a key role in developing medium and large satellites for South Korea.

In January, KAI announced its 'Global KAI 2050' vision, selecting space as one of its six core businesses for the future and expanding its business areas.

“If we successfully complete this project, we will have space business experience in the development and launch of medium and large satellites and ultra-small satellites,” said Lee Chang-han, a KAI executive involved in the project. “We hope to strengthen our competitiveness with this project.”