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South Korea fields Hanwha's Cheongwang laser air-defense system

South Korea has fielded Hanwha's Cheongwang laser weapon, which the company says costs about $1.50 per engagement.

AI News Feed · 2026-10-22 05:45

The Republic of Korea Army tested Cheongwang during its TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Exercise on Oct. 14, 2026. Hanwha Systems reported that the 30-kilowatt-class weapon destroyed all three drones launched during the exercise, which drew about 500 military personnel and other observers. Cheongwang directs concentrated laser energy onto an aerial object until the resulting heat damages its structure or critical components. Unlike conventional interceptors, the system does not require a separate missile for every engagement, provided sufficient electrical power and cooling remain available.

Hanwha estimates each engagement costs approximately $1.50, substantially below the price of many missiles used against attack drones. That figure does not necessarily represent the complete operating cost, because maintenance, electricity, equipment depreciation and other expenses may also affect deployment economics, according to the report. The conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between the U.S./Israel and Iran have shown how expensive drone interception can be.

“Laser weapons are core assets that will fundamentally change the game of air defense,” said Joohun Shin, head of Hanwha Systems' Laser Systems Business Centre. “Driven by unmatched technological capability and proven operational performance, we will accelerate our entry into the global market...”

Hanwha also demonstrated a 50-kilowatt Laser Armored Vehicle during the Defense Drone Technology Exhibition on Sept. 16, 2026. The company reported that Cheongwang neutralized four drones and two uncrewed aircraft consecutively during that separate demonstration. The more powerful vehicle is being developed for greater mobility and potential international sales, and Hanwha displayed it at MSPO in Kielce, Poland.

The United Kingdom is advancing similar technology through DragonFire, a directed-energy weapon developed by MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ alongside the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The system struck aerial targets during trials in Scotland's Hebrides in 2024, and British authorities are advancing plans to install it aboard a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer.

Laser weapons could offer sustained protection against repeated drone attacks, but their effectiveness depends on available power, tracking accuracy, engagement time and atmospheric conditions. A laser can engage only a limited number of targets simultaneously, making attack volume an important consideration for operational planners.

South Korea's deployment allows Hanwha to pursue global customers seeking less expensive counter-drone options. Wider adoption will depend on independently verifiable performance, operational reliability and evidence of effectiveness, according to the report.