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Hanwha Aerospace has announced a new partnership with Frankenburg, an Estonian defense company, to develop counter-drone technology for future land combat systems, highlighting growing international cooperation in response to the rising threat of unmanned aerial systems on modern battlefields.

Hanwha Aerospace said Tuesday it has partnered with an Estonian missile systems firm to jointly develop counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technology for next-generation land weapon platforms.

The agreement was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on February 10, 2026, on the sidelines of the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event is one of the largest global defense exhibitions and has become a key venue for announcing international defense partnerships and procurement initiatives.

Under the MOU, the two companies will cooperate on developing technology designed to counter drones and other unmanned aerial threats. The system is currently being reviewed for possible integration into Hanwha Aerospace’s next-generation command armored vehicle, which remains under development.

The partnership outlines clear roles for both companies. Hanwha Aerospace will handle the integration of the counter-drone system into its land platforms, including armored vehicles and other next-generation systems.

Frankenburg Technologies will focus on developing the core components of the system. This includes guided missiles designed to intercept drones, launchers for deploying those interceptors, and the fire-control software required to detect, track, and engage aerial threats.

Frankenburg and Hanwha Aerospace agree to build affordable vehicle-based missile defence at scale

We are building affordable missiles and mass production in a category where scale has not existed before.

We do this because it is necessary – to equip the free world to win the… pic.twitter.com/9lNGFmJoJM

— Frankenburg Technologies (@FrankenburgTech) February 10, 2026

The joint development effort aims to create a comprehensive counter-UAS solution that can be mounted on land platforms and used to defend against a wide range of drone threats, from small commercial quadcopters to more advanced unmanned systems used in reconnaissance or attack roles.

Growing Concern over Drone Threats

The partnership comes as militaries worldwide place greater emphasis on counter-drone capabilities. The widespread use of drones in recent conflicts has highlighted their effectiveness in surveillance, targeting, and direct attacks, often at relatively low cost compared to traditional weapons systems.

Defense planners are increasingly seeking integrated solutions that can detect and neutralize drones quickly, particularly in high-intensity environments where armored vehicles and command units may be vulnerable to aerial attacks.

Hanwha Aerospace said the joint project is intended to improve the survivability of future land systems and ensure they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving threat environment.

“This MOU serves as a pivotal opportunity to enhance the survivability and competitiveness of next-generation land weapon systems against the growing threat of drones on the future battlefield,” Kim Dong-hyeon, head of Hanwha Aerospace’s land systems division, said.

Expanding Cooperation with Estonia

The new agreement also reflects Hanwha Aerospace’s expanding ties with Estonia’s defense industry. In recent years, the South Korean company has built a network of partnerships with Estonian firms as part of its broader international cooperation strategy.

Hanwha previously signed an MOU with Milrem Robotics, an Estonian company known for its unmanned ground vehicles and robotics technologies. It has also reached agreements with other Estonian firms, including Nortal and SensusQ, in areas related to defense technology and digital systems.

These partnerships suggest a growing collaboration between South Korea’s defense sector and Estonia’s technology-focused defense industry, particularly in areas such as robotics, digital warfare, and counter-drone capabilities.

Background of Defense Ties

Hanwha Aerospace first established ties with Estonia through equipment sales. In 2020, the company supplied its K9 self-propelled howitzers to Estonia, marking a significant defense procurement deal between the two countries.

The relationship expanded further in late 2025 when Estonia received the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system, also produced by Hanwha. Those deals helped strengthen industrial and operational links and opened the door for broader technological cooperation.

The new counter-drone partnership with Frankenburg Technologies builds on that foundation, shifting the focus from equipment sales to joint development and integration of advanced systems.

Focus on Next-Generation Platforms

Hanwha Aerospace is currently working on a next-generation command armored vehicle that could serve as a key platform for integrating advanced technologies, including counter-drone systems. The company has not provided detailed specifications for the vehicle, but it is expected to feature enhanced networking, protection, and battlefield management capabilities.

By incorporating C-UAS technology directly into armored platforms, the company aims to create systems that can defend themselves and nearby units against aerial threats without relying solely on external air-defense units.

This approach reflects a broader trend in modern land warfare, where vehicles and formations are expected to operate in environments saturated with drones. Integrating counter-drone tools at the platform level can improve response times and reduce vulnerability.

The partnership highlights how defense companies are increasingly collaborating across borders to address emerging threats. Counter-UAS technology has become a priority for many armed forces, and joint development projects allow companies to combine expertise in missiles, software, and platform integration.

For Hanwha Aerospace, the agreement strengthens its position as a global land systems manufacturer and expands its presence in Europe through cooperation with Estonian firms. For Frankenburg Technologies, the partnership offers an opportunity to integrate its missile and fire-control technologies into larger platforms and reach a wider international market.

As drone warfare continues to evolve, defense companies are expected to invest heavily in systems capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting unmanned threats. The Hanwha-Frankenburg partnership reflects that trend and underscores the importance of international cooperation in developing next-generation defense technologies.