Hanwha is developing a 50 kW laser armored vehicle intended to give militaries a mobile, lower-cost option for countering drones. The South Korean company presented the system on Sept. 8 at the MSPO defense industry show in Kielce, Poland, as Poland and other NATO countries on the alliance’s eastern flank seek to strengthen counter-drone capabilities.
The vehicle combines Hanwha’s laser technology with the Tigon eight-wheel-drive armored personnel carrier. Company representatives said the wheeled platform is designed for militaries that require a mobile laser system able to track fast-moving targets.
Based on the Cheongwang laser
Hanwha said the vehicle carries a more powerful version of its stationary Cheongwang laser, which has been used by South Korea’s military since 2024. The Cheongwang system has been deployed at strategically important locations, including near the Blue House, the office and residence of South Korea’s president.
According to Hyungun Park, manager of the laser system business team at Hanwha Systems, a key advantage of Cheongwang is its operating cost. Each laser shot costs about 2,000 Korean won, or $1.50, Park said, which he described as a cost-efficient means of countering drones.
Production and export plans
Hanwha has developed a prototype of the 50 kW Laser Armored Vehicle and plans to begin serial production by the end of 2027, Park said. The company is also discussing potential Cheongwang laser exports with prospective customers in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The Tigon-mounted offering extends the company’s laser system from fixed-site protection to a wheeled armored platform, positioning it for customers seeking counter-drone capability that can move with deployed forces.
