Recently on social networks (SNS) such as X, images surfaced showing the Saudi Arabian Army operating Hanwha Aerospace's armored vehicle "TIGON," drawing attention. TIGON is a wheeled armored vehicle with six wheels on each side that runs on wheels, and its advantage is low noise and vibration.
According to the defense industry on the 29th, Saudi defense blogger SMmiliitary recently posted on his X account, "First appearance of the Korean-made TIGON 6x6 armored vehicle in the Saudi Army." The post included a photo of a TIGON standing with the Saudi national flag hanging.
On the side of the TIGON, photos presumed to be of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud were attached. Behind the TIGON, a vehicle believed to be Hanwha Aerospace's Chunmu multiple rocket launcher was also seen. Hanwha said it could not disclose whether it has exported the vehicle.
Developed by Hanwha Aerospace, TIGON is a 6×6 tactical vehicle that combines mobility and protection. The vehicle weighs about 22 tons (t) and can carry up to 11 people. It is equipped with a 525-horsepower diesel engine, enabling it to travel at speeds over 100 kph. Its driving range on a single refueling is about 800 kph.
TIGON features reinforced special add-on armor installed not only on the front of the hull but also underneath. It also adopts a design that disperses blast pressure, protecting the crew from mines or explosives equivalent to 8 kilograms of trinitrotoluene (TNT).
Hanwha Aerospace is currently developing TIGON's upgraded model, the TIGON tank destroyer (TD). The TIGON TD is an 8x8 eight-wheeled armored vehicle with a 700-horsepower engine and is known to be equipped with the Cheongeom anti-tank guided missile. Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the TIGON TD alongside the TIGON at last year's Saudi defense exhibition, World Defense Show 2024.
Some say the Saudi Army purchased a small number of TIGONs for command vehicle use when it bought the Chunmu multiple rocket launchers from Hanwha Aerospace in the past. In 2022, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported that the Saudi Ministry of National Defense signed a contract worth $800 million (about 1.04 trillion won at the exchange rate at the time) to introduce the Chunmu system from Hanwha Aerospace.
Recently, Hanwha has been focusing on Saudi Arabia. Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan was said to have visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 21st and met with Abdullah bin Bandar, minister of the Ministry of the National Guard. Hanwha also opened a regional headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in Riyadh on 4th.
Saudi Arabia has set a plan to localize 50% of its defense expenditure by 2030. It plans to introduce armored vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, and air defense systems to enhance its forces. To that end, Hanwha Aerospace is reviewing cooperation options starting with establishing a local subsidiary, including ▲ technology transfer ▲ joint development ▲ local production ▲ joint ventures.
A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "There is nothing we can confirm regarding exports to the Middle East."