IRIA News

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British defense giant BAE Systems has announced a new strategic collaboration with South Korea’s Hanwha Systems aimed at bolstering its Azalea satellite constellation project, a key part of the UK’s effort to establish a cutting-edge, multi-sensor intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) network in low Earth orbit.

The agreement will see both companies working together to integrate Hanwha’s advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology with BAE’s ultra-wideband radio frequency (RF) sensing capabilities. This combination aims to enable real-time, secure data collection from space to support both military operations and emergency response efforts.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone not only for the Azalea project but also for the UK-South Korea defense and technology partnership, which is seeing increasing momentum amid shared concerns over regional security, emerging technologies, and space domain operations.

Azalea: space-based ISR

The Azalea project was first announced in 2022, when BAE Systems unveiled its plans to launch a four-satellite cluster equipped with a range of sensors, including SAR, RF, and optical payloads. The primary goal of Azalea is to deliver near real-time, actionable intelligence to allied forces and civil authorities through onboard processing and secure downlink capabilities. The constellation is intended to monitor ground activity and electromagnetic signals across a variety of terrains and weather conditions.

The first Azalea satellites were originally scheduled to launch in 2024 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, though the launch is now expected later this year. While the initial cluster still includes a SAR satellite from Finnish operator Iceye, a partner since the program’s inception, BAE has confirmed that the remaining three satellites will be equipped solely with RF sensors.

“[We’re] expecting future Azalea missions to also contain optical capabilities,” said Rachael Hoyle, space director for BAE’s digital intelligence division. Hoyle did not elaborate on why the optical payloads were removed from the current cluster, nor did BAE disclose any financial details of the new Hanwha agreement.

South Korean capabilities

Hanwha Systems brings extensive SAR development experience and an ambitious space strategy of its own to the table. It is currently pursuing a separate constellation project focused on broadband communications. The company was also an early investor in OneWeb, a U.K.-based satellite internet firm, though it has recently divested its 5.4% stake for approximately $88 million following OneWeb’s 2023 merger with France’s Eutelsat.

The agreement with BAE represents Hanwha’s first public move into SAR-focused defense space constellations with a Western partner, potentially paving the way for deeper defense-industrial collaboration between Seoul and London.

“The new collaboration between BAE Systems and Hanwha Systems will allow the UK to deepen its relationship with South Korea and enable both countries to expand into new international markets,” said Hoyle.

She added that the partnership would also serve Hanwha’s national objectives: “In addition, by working together to deliver a multi-sensor satellite system, the companies will provide space capabilities that will help South Korea to meet its domestic requirements.”

Why SAR and RF Matter

The convergence of SAR and RF technologies in satellite constellations represents a growing trend in global ISR strategies. SAR systems can capture high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface regardless of weather or lighting conditions, making them ideal for detecting ground movements, maritime activity, and infrastructure changes.

Meanwhile, RF sensors can passively detect and geolocate emissions from a wide range of electronic systems, such as radar installations, communication networks, or military vehicles.

By combining these two capabilities, Azalea is designed to produce a comprehensive, near-real-time picture of a given area, making it a valuable tool for defense, border control, disaster relief, and strategic planning. The onboard processors will analyze and compress the data before downlinking it securely, reducing latency and reliance on ground stations.

BAE has emphasized that Azalea’s versatility is a key selling point for allied governments seeking rapid, sovereign access to ISR data. The UK government, which has made space security a top strategic priority in recent years, is expected to be a primary user and potential funder of the system.

UK-South Korea defense relationship

This partnership also aligns with broader efforts to deepen UK-South Korea defense ties. In recent years, both nations have increased bilateral engagements in defense technology, cybersecurity, and Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation. South Korea’s burgeoning space and defense industry is seen as a valuable partner for the UK as it seeks to diversify its global industrial base and reduce dependencies on traditional allies.

The new collaboration would open opportunities for co-development and co-marketing of space-based solutions to third countries, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, where both the UK and South Korea are seeking to increase their defense exports.

While BAE has yet to confirm any additional customers beyond the UK, the company has indicated that Azalea is designed to be “coalition-ready,” meaning it can be adapted to suit the ISR needs of NATO and other close allies.

With the first Azalea launch on the horizon and Hanwha now officially onboard, attention will likely turn to execution and future expansion. If the four-satellite cluster performs as intended, additional launches could follow, expanding the network’s coverage and capabilities.

The integration of SAR technology from multiple providers, including Iceye and now potentially Hanwha, suggests BAE is building a flexible, multi-vendor model to avoid overreliance on any single source. This is particularly important in the current geopolitical climate, where supply chain resilience and technology sovereignty are at a premium.

Meanwhile, Hanwha’s experience in broadband constellations, defense electronics, and AI-enhanced sensor processing may influence the future design of Azalea satellites or help shape other collaborative projects.