Hanwha Aerospace Hosts Strategic Roundtable with IISS Leadership

March 20, 2026 – Hanwha Aerospace hosted an IISS Strategic Roundtable at its Seoul headquarters, welcoming a senior delegation from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) led by Director-General and Chief Executive Dr Bastian Giegerich. The visit marks the first time the IISS leadership has visited Hanwha headquarters since the establishment of the IISS Korea Chair in Advanced Technologies, National Security and Defence last year.

Jae-il Son, Hanwha Aerospace President & CEO, hosted the roundtable with senior leaders from Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean. Director-General and Chief Executive Dr Bastian Giegerich led the IISS delegation, joined by Senior Advisor Dr Chung Min Lee, Korea Chair Dr Lami Kim, and Head of Advisory Rosamund de Sybel.

The two sides engaged in wide-ranging strategic dialogue on the rapidly shifting international security environment and evolving global defence industry dynamics. Hanwha’s three defence affiliates presented their global business vision, while IISS shared its research and advisory activities alongside the Korea Chair’s research agenda. Discussions delved into key security issues including the growing European defence demand and the urgent need for enhanced air defence capabilities in the Gulf region.

Founded in the United Kingdom in 1958, the IISS is one of the world’s foremost authorities on defence and security affairs. It is widely recognised for hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security summit, and for publishing The Military Balance, the globally authoritative annual assessment of military capabilities and defence economics.

The Korea Chair is the first-ever permanent Korea-dedicated research position at a major European security think tank. Hanwha and the Korea Foundation (KF) jointly funded the position. Its inaugural holder, Dr Lami Kim, is based at the IISS headquarters in London, where she conducts research at the intersection of advanced technologies and national security.

Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said, “Hanwha aims to be more than a defence exporter. We strive to be a trusted industrial partner that grows together with partner nations through technology transfer, joint ventures, and local production.” He added, “Our strategic collaboration with the IISS will serve as an important foundation for realising this vision.”

Hanwha Aerospace

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