Hanwha kickstarts localization of 1,000-hp gas turbine engine components

A project to lengthen the lifecycle of 1,000-horsepower gas turbine engine core components and materials, which is led by Hanwha Aerospace Co. located in the Changwon National Industrial Complex in South Gyeongsang Province, was selected for the "2022 weapons system package technology development" competition sponsored by the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement.

The project will be undertaken in earnest beginning this year.

According to the Gyeongsang Provincial Government, the South Korean aerospace and defense company held a joint technology development agreement signing ceremony at the Changwon Convention Center on Monday.

A long-life engine refers to an engine that is maintained and reused by replacing components after running for more than 1,000 hours.

Hanwha Aerospace will invest 48.8 billion won ($39.7 million) for five years until 2027, and undertake the design and database building for six types of long-life aviation engine core components.

By performing this task, further localization of components for the domestic aerospace and defense industry is expected, and it is hoped that it will be a stepping stone for Korea to take a step forward to become one of the world's top-four defense exporters, as well as for the defense industry within the province.

"I hope that our province's defense technology could be leveled up through the R&D of core materials for gas turbine aviation engines. Our government will do everything in our power in supporting the companies within our jurisdiction," said Provincial Governor Park Wan-soo in a pre-recorded video message.

Write to Seo-Woo Jang at suwu@hankyung.com