Hanwha Aerospace has embarked on the localization of advanced aircraft engines with a thrust of 16,000 lbf (pound-force, a unit of engine power) and has begun expanding its engine development workforce. Doosan Enerbility, which has started developing aircraft engines based on its capabilities in developing gas turbines for power generation, is also expanding its aviation engine workforce.
According to the defense industry on the 20th, Hanwha Aerospace plans to increase its research and development (R&D) personnel to 500 by 2028, using its U.S. and European subsidiaries as R&D hubs. As of the end of last year, there were about 250 R&D personnel for aviation engines, both domestically and internationally. This is an increase of about 20% from 200 personnel at the end of 2023. A representative of Hanwha Aerospace noted, "Since last year, we have been actively increasing our research personnel related to engines. We plan to actively hire talents related to engine development."
Korea's aviation engine development personnel are significantly lacking compared to advanced countries. According to estimates from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) at the beginning of last year, there were about 200 personnel in corporations related to engines and about 220 in universities, including professors. This is about one-tenth of the level in the U.S. Countries like the U.S. are actively controlling the transfer of engine-related technologies due to concerns over strategic asset leakage.
Hanwha Aerospace is putting considerable effort into securing personnel with experience in aircraft engine development. Kim Won-wook, head of the advanced engine division at Hanwha Aerospace, has developed engines at Pratt & Whitney and General Electric (GE), which are among the world's top three aircraft engine manufacturers. Kim joined Hanwha in 2021. Hanwha Aerospace is collaborating with 10 domestic universities to nurture related personnel and develop technologies such as space launch vehicles and aviation engines.
Hanwha Aerospace is not only focusing on securing personnel but is also increasing investment in infrastructure. The company is expanding its smart engine factory at its Changwon facility with an investment of 40 billion won, covering an area of 16,500 square meters (about 5,000 pyeong). Last year, Hanwha Aerospace invested 887.8 billion won in research and development and plans to continue large-scale investments this year.
Recently established by Doosan Enerbility, the aviation engine development team is eager to recruit personnel with master's and doctoral degrees. It is also training specialists in engine development in collaboration with 21 domestic universities. A representative from Doosan Enerbility said, "We are collaborating with personnel who have researched engine materials and gas turbines domestically for a long time. We will continue to actively pursue the recruitment of development personnel."