Hanwha Aerospace Taps New CEO to Lead European Defense Push

Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace announced Friday the appointment of Ben Hudson, current CEO of Hanwha Defense Australia, to lead the company’s operations in Europe and the UK.

“I’m honored to join our European and UK leadership team at this crucial juncture,” Hudson said. “Hanwha’s vision centers on developing sovereign capabilities to address current and future security challenges.”

Hudson brings extensive experience to the role, having held senior executive positions at BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, and General Dynamics. He spent over 15 years working in Switzerland, Germany, and the UK. A dual British-Australian citizen, Hudson also served as an officer in the Australian Army and holds an MBA from London Business School.

The appointment comes as Hanwha intensifies efforts to establish itself as a trusted defense partner in Europe, offering localized, interoperable, and rapid solutions to NATO allies.

“Ben’s deep understanding of European defense markets makes him the ideal candidate for this role,” said Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense. “This appointment signifies the next phase of our multi-domestic strategy, which emphasizes trust, collaboration, and shared security objectives.”

Hanwha is currently involved in several major European defense programs. The company is supplying more than 800 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 290 Chunmoo rocket launchers to countries including Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, and Romania.

Additionally, Hanwha has delivered naval support ships to the UK and Norway, and serves as a key supplier of modular artillery charges to NATO partners.