Hanwha Aerospace and BAE Systems Form Strategic Partnership to Enhance Anti-Jamming GPS Capabilities for Deep Strike Weapons

The recent partnership between South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace and British defense giant BAE Systems represents a significant advancement in precision-guided munitions technology, specifically addressing the growing threat of electronic warfare and GPS jamming in modern military operations. This collaboration will integrate BAE Systems’ cutting-edge anti-jamming Global Positioning System technology into Hanwha’s Deep Strike Capability weapon system, enhancing operational reliability in contested electromagnetic environments while strengthening both companies’ positions in the global defense market.

The partnership comes at a critical time when military forces worldwide are increasingly dependent on GPS-guided systems, yet face escalating threats from sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities deployed by state and non-state actors. The integration promises to deliver superior precision and operational reliability even in highly contested electronic environments, while meeting NATO interoperability requirements to enhance marketability to European and allied nations.

Background and Strategic Context

The modern battlefield has undergone a fundamental transformation with the widespread adoption of GPS-dependent systems across all military domains. GPS technology has become as essential to military operations as the internet is to civilian life, providing not only positioning data but also critical timing signals that synchronize communication and encryption systems worldwide. However, this dependence has created vulnerabilities that adversaries have learned to exploit through increasingly sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities.

The threat landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years, with GPS jamming and spoofing incidents becoming more frequent and sophisticated. In 2024, Lithuania documented a 60% increase in GPS interference, with significant jamming operations occurring near Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states. Russia, China, and Iran have been identified as leading protagonists of GPS jamming and spoofing, with Russia using electronic warfare as part of its hybrid warfare operations in the conflict against Ukraine. These developments have made the need for robust anti-jamming capabilities not just desirable but essential for military effectiveness.

The Ukraine conflict has particularly highlighted the critical importance of electronic warfare resilience, taking electronic warfare to unprecedented levels with the deployment of autonomous systems and both sides using jamming and spoofing technology to make weapons miss their targets. This real-world demonstration of electronic warfare’s impact on modern military operations has accelerated global interest in anti-jamming technologies and resilient positioning, navigation, and timing solutions.

Partnership Details and Contractual Framework

Hanwha Aerospace’s contract with BAE Systems represents a strategic collaboration between two industry leaders with complementary expertise in precision-guided munitions and military GPS technology. The partnership leverages BAE Systems’ world-renowned expertise in military GPS and anti-jamming solutions to counter sophisticated electronic warfare threats that increasingly challenge military operations. Billy Boo-whan Lee, the Head of PGM Business Group at Hanwha Aerospace, emphasized that “the purpose of this cooperation with BAE Systems is to secure advanced electronic warfare protection technology to protect our guided weapon systems,” adding that “based on a technological advantage to counter electronic warfare threats, we will strengthen our position in the global market.”

BAE Systems brings significant capabilities to this partnership through its recently acquired military GPS business, which was purchased from Collins Aerospace for $1.9 billion in 2020. This acquisition included a workforce of approximately 700 employees based in Cedar Rapids and Coralville, Iowa, with over 40 years of pioneering experience in military GPS technology and a global installed base exceeding 1.5 million devices on more than 280 airborne, ground, and weapon system platforms. The business designs and produces advanced, hardened, and secure GPS products with various form factors, including products designed for space-constrained and harsh environments.

Luke Bishop, Director of Navigation and Sensor Systems at BAE Systems, highlighted the partnership’s operational benefits, stating that “our collaboration with Hanwha will help give operators added versatility in the field when they need it most,” and that “versatility combined with our highly reliable military GPS products provide users with a product they can trust will work in the most contested environments.” This collaboration is strategically engineered to meet NATO interoperability requirements, significantly enhancing the marketability of the system to European and other allied nations.

Deep Strike Capability System and Technical Specifications

Hanwha’s Deep Strike Capability system, known domestically as the K239 Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket System, represents a sophisticated multi-caliber and multi-range rocket launch platform designed for diverse mission profiles. The system provides flexible rocket launch capability adaptable to missions ranging from suppressing enemy fire support to neutralizing high-value targets in complex environments. Its dual-launcher configuration allows the deployment of a wide range of guided and unguided rockets from a single platform, delivering superior firepower and operational flexibility.

The technical capabilities of the Chunmoo system are impressive, with the ability to fire 130mm, 227mm, and 239mm rockets with varying ranges and guidance systems. The 130mm rockets have a range of 36 kilometers, while the larger 230mm-class rockets achieve ranges of approximately 80 kilometers for non-guided variants and 160 kilometers for guided versions. The system can also fire the Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile (KTSSM), which has a range of 120 to 200 kilometers depending on the variant and achieves high accuracy with a Circular Error Probable of fewer than 2 meters through its high-precision guidance system incorporating GPS, Inertial Navigation System, and terrain-matching guidance.

The integration of GPS/INS hybrid navigation ensures high-precision strikes even against moving targets, enhancing both responsiveness and accuracy. The system’s 239mm guided rockets feature two operational modes: impact bursting for anti-personnel operations or facility destruction, and delay bursting for destroying targets inside buildings or bunkers. This versatility, combined with the new anti-jamming GPS technology from BAE Systems, will provide superior precision and operational reliability even in highly contested electronic environments.

“The purpose of this cooperation with BAE Systems is to secure advanced electronic warfare protection technology to protect our guided weapon systems.”, Billy Boo-whan Lee, Hanwha Aerospace

Anti-Jamming Technology and BAE Systems’ DIGAR Solution

BAE Systems’ contribution to the partnership centers on its Digital GPS Anti-Jam Receiver (DIGAR) technology, which represents the premier military GPS anti-jamming solution available today. DIGAR comprises advanced airborne GPS anti-jamming antenna electronics that support 16 simultaneous steered beams to provide superior jamming immunity in the most severe GPS-challenged environments. The system’s beamforming capabilities increase the level of GPS jamming protection for aircraft by a million-fold, helping operators execute their missions in contested environments.

The DIGAR system has been built upon field-proven GPS anti-jamming weapons technology and state-of-the-art signal processing techniques, leveraging BAE Systems’ experience as the premier military GPS and anti-jamming provider for weapons including the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), and Excalibur systems. The technology delivers superior protection against all known jamming threats, with anti-jamming performance exceeding 105 dB J/S for State 5 tracking and greater than 125 dB J/S for State 3 tracking against 20 MHz broadband jammers.

BAE Systems has expanded DIGAR’s capabilities by enabling beamforming compatibility with both BAE Systems receivers and Trimble GPS receivers, making it the only antenna electronics on the market to beamform with multiple receiver types. This compatibility extends to industry-standard Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation System technology, enabling fast communication with transmitter electronics for superior beamforming performance. The system also supports M-Code compatibility, delivering additional security to warfighters who rely on these advanced capabilities.

“By combining DIGAR’s beamforming with trusted inertial navigation system data, we offer the highest level of jamming protection available today.”, Greg Wild, BAE Systems

Market Context and Financial Implications

The collaboration between Hanwha Aerospace and BAE Systems occurs within a rapidly expanding global market for anti-jamming and electronic warfare technologies. The global GPS anti-jam market was valued at $4.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow from $4.49 billion in 2025 to $7.66 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. This growth is driven by increasing adoption of GPS systems across defense, aviation, and commercial sectors, with anti-jam solutions becoming vital for secure communication, precision targeting, and navigation in contested environments.

The military GPS receiver market specifically is estimated at $1.96 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $3.24 billion by 2037, growing at a CAGR of more than 4.2%. North America dominates this market with a projected 59.1% revenue share by 2037, driven by high defense spending and advanced technological capabilities. The increasing investments by the U.S. Department of Defense in anti-jamming, M-Code GPS receivers, and secure navigation systems for military aircraft and vehicles represent a significant market driver.

The broader electronic warfare market provides additional context for this partnership’s strategic importance. The global electronic warfare market was valued at $21.28 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 5.0% CAGR, reaching $34.66 billion by 2034. The electronic countermeasures segment specifically was valued at $29.07 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $43.60 billion by 2032. These markets are driven by rising geopolitical tensions, increased defense budgets, and the modernization of military systems worldwide.

Strategic Partnerships and International Expansion

The BAE Systems partnership represents part of Hanwha Aerospace’s broader strategy of international collaboration and market expansion. The company has demonstrated remarkable success in securing international Contracts, particularly with Poland, which has become a significant customer for the Chunmoo system. Poland committed to acquiring up to 288 Chunmoo MLRS systems through framework and executive contracts, with the first executive contract worth $3.55 billion provisioning 218 systems and several thousand precision munitions along with logistics and training support through 2025.

A second executive contract signed in April 2024, valued at approximately $1.6 billion, covers an additional 72 Chunmoo rocket artillery units and several thousand tactical guided missiles, with most systems to be built in Poland itself. This demonstrates Hanwha’s commitment to technology transfer and local production partnerships, which enhance the appeal of their systems to international customers seeking sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

The success in Poland has provided Hanwha with valuable reference credentials for expanding into other European markets. Hanwha positions itself as a “multi-domestic” partner for European and allied militaries, offering industrial collaboration while addressing urgent capability gaps. The company recently opened a regional headquarters in the Middle East and North Africa to compete in these markets. The partnership with BAE Systems strengthens Hanwha’s technological credentials and NATO interoperability, making the Deep Strike Capability system more attractive to a broader range of international customers seeking advanced precision strike capabilities with proven anti-jamming protection.

Geopolitical and Security Implications

The partnership between Hanwha Aerospace and BAE Systems occurs against a backdrop of escalating global tensions and increasing recognition of electronic warfare as a critical military capability. The prevalence of GPS jamming and spoofing in conflict zones has demonstrated the vulnerability of conventional GPS-dependent systems, making anti-jamming capabilities essential rather than optional for modern military operations. Studies have shown that military GPS signals are more robust against jamming compared to civilian signals, underscoring the importance of military-grade protection systems.

NATO’s recognition of positioning, navigation, and timing services as critical military capabilities has led to discussions about integrating multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems to improve resilience. While GPS remains the designated standard for NATO nations, the alliance is exploring options to integrate the European Union’s Galileo constellation to enhance PNT resiliency. The combination of GPS and Galileo would increase jamming resistance by forcing opponents to use more jammers or concentrate on specific geographic areas, making area-wide jamming campaigns harder to achieve and sustain.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has particularly demonstrated the prevalence of conventional artillery and the importance of precision-guided systems in modern warfare. Europe is projected to dominate the artillery system sector with a 43% share of the global market, currently valued at $11.3 billion. This has created significant opportunities for companies like Hanwha that offer advanced artillery and deep strike capabilities, with the company seeking to extend the range of the Chunmoo system from the current 80-150 kilometers to 500 kilometers.

Expert Analysis and Industry Perspectives

Industry experts emphasize the critical nature of the challenges addressed by the Hanwha-BAE Systems partnership. Greg Wild, director of Navigation and Sensor Systems at BAE Systems, noted that “the modern battlespace has evolved, and peer state positioning, navigation, and timing threat systems are challenging our ability to conduct combat operations in the place and manner of our choosing.” He explained that “by combining DIGAR’s beamforming with trusted inertial navigation system data, we offer the highest level of jamming protection available today.”

The technical sophistication required for effective GPS spoofing attacks varies significantly, with experts categorizing attacks into simplistic, intermediate, and sophisticated types based on complexity and hardware requirements. The lack of authentication mechanisms in civilian GPS makes receivers unable to distinguish between authentic and malicious signals, while military P(Y) code replication remains technically infeasible due to its classified signal structure.

Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense, emphasized the company’s strategic approach to international partnerships, stating that “customers today demand not just cutting-edge technology but trusted partners who can reinforce their defence ecosystems.” He added that Hanwha’s commitment is to act with speed where it matters, while building sovereign capabilities together with partners, producing locally and becoming part of the industrial base that strengthens allied security.

“Customers today demand not just cutting-edge technology but trusted partners who can reinforce their defence ecosystems.”, Michael Coulter, Hanwha Global Defense

Technological Innovation and Development Trends

The partnership represents convergence of several critical technological trends reshaping modern military capabilities. The integration of anti-jamming GPS technology with precision-guided munitions reflects the broader shift toward resilient positioning, navigation, and timing architectures that can operate effectively in contested electromagnetic environments. BAE Systems’ investment of more than $100 million in a new 278,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing military GPS capabilities.

Advanced signal processing and beamforming technologies represent key innovations enabling superior anti-jamming performance. DIGAR’s digital beamforming capabilities utilize sophisticated algorithms to create multiple simultaneous steered beams that can adaptively null interference sources while maintaining strong signals from authentic GPS satellites. This approach provides dramatically improved protection compared to conventional anti-jamming techniques, with performance improvements measured in orders of magnitude rather than incremental gains.

The development of M-Code compatibility represents another critical technological advancement, providing enhanced security and anti-jamming capabilities specifically designed for military applications. M-Code offers improved security through advanced encryption and authentication mechanisms while providing enhanced resistance to jamming and spoofing attacks. The U.S. Space Force’s modernization efforts include introducing next-generation GPS III/IIIF satellites that offer three times better accuracy than previous GPS satellites and up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities.

Future Outlook and Market Implications

The collaboration between Hanwha Aerospace and BAE Systems positions both companies advantageously in rapidly growing global markets for precision-guided munitions and electronic warfare systems. The partnership addresses critical capability gaps identified by military forces worldwide while providing a foundation for expanded international cooperation in advanced defense technologies. The success of this integration could serve as a model for similar partnerships between established defense technology leaders and emerging global players seeking to enhance their technological capabilities.

Market forecasts indicate continued strong growth in related technology sectors, with the global anti-jamming market expected to reach $7.92 billion by 2029 at a compound annual growth rate of 10.9%. This growth is attributed to increasing frequency and sophistication of jamming threats, continued dependence on GNSS technologies, growth in unmanned systems and autonomous vehicles, and global navigation system upgrades. The significant increase in military and defense budgets allocated by various governments worldwide represents a pivotal factor driving demand for anti-jamming products deemed critical for national security.

The partnership’s focus on NATO interoperability requirements positions the enhanced Deep Strike Capability system favorably for European and allied markets experiencing urgent modernization needs. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has demonstrated the critical importance of long-range precision strike capabilities and electronic warfare resilience, creating substantial market opportunities for systems that can operate effectively in contested environments. European defense spending patterns indicate strong demand for advanced artillery and deep strike systems, with multiple countries seeking to enhance their conventional deterrence capabilities.

Conclusion

The strategic partnership between Hanwha Aerospace and BAE Systems represents a significant advancement in military technology cooperation, addressing critical vulnerabilities in GPS-dependent weapon systems while strengthening both companies’ competitive positions in global defense markets. The integration of BAE Systems’ proven anti-jamming GPS technology into Hanwha’s Deep Strike Capability system creates a highly capable precision strike platform designed to operate effectively in the most challenging electronic warfare environments. This collaboration demonstrates the increasing importance of international partnerships in developing advanced defense technologies that meet the evolving requirements of modern military operations.

The partnership’s emphasis on NATO interoperability and its potential to enhance European and allied defense capabilities reflects broader trends toward multinational cooperation in addressing shared security challenges. As electronic warfare threats continue to evolve and proliferate, the demand for resilient positioning, navigation, and timing solutions will only intensify, creating substantial market opportunities for companies that can deliver proven, reliable anti-jamming capabilities. The success of this collaboration may serve as a catalyst for additional partnerships between established technology leaders and emerging global defense companies, fostering innovation while enhancing collective security capabilities across allied nations.

FAQ

What is the main purpose of the Hanwha Aerospace and BAE Systems partnership?
The main purpose is to integrate BAE Systems’ advanced anti-jamming GPS technology into Hanwha’s Deep Strike Capability system, enhancing operational reliability and precision in contested electronic environments.

What is BAE Systems’ DIGAR technology?
DIGAR (Digital GPS Anti-Jam Receiver) is an advanced GPS anti-jamming solution that uses digital beamforming to provide superior jamming immunity, supporting multiple simultaneous beams and compatibility with various receiver types.

Why is anti-jamming technology important for military operations?
Anti-jamming technology is crucial due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of electronic warfare threats, such as GPS jamming and spoofing, which can disrupt or degrade the effectiveness of GPS-dependent military systems.

How does the partnership benefit NATO and allied nations?
The integration of NATO-interoperable anti-jamming technology enhances the marketability of the Deep Strike Capability system to European and allied nations, supporting modernization efforts and improving resilience against electronic warfare.

What are the broader market implications of this collaboration?
The partnership positions both companies to capitalize on the growing global demand for anti-jamming and electronic warfare solutions, with significant opportunities in defense modernization and international cooperation.

Sources: Hanwha Aerospace