US Army Awards Lease to Hanwha at Pine Bluff Arsenal

Today, the U.S. Army announced it awarded Hanwha Defense USA an enhanced use lease for a potential production facility at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Jefferson County, Arkansas. The agreement is preliminary, pending final negotiations and due diligence over the coming months.

Hanwha Defense USA plans to invest approximately $1.3 billion to build a new munitions facility in the U.S. that will transform domestic munitions production and modernize America’s munitions industrial base.

“We appreciate the confidence the U.S. Army is placing in Hanwha and our ability to deliver a modern munitions facility,” said Hanwha Defense USA CEO Michael Coulter. “We look forward to further strengthening America’s arsenal of freedom and continuing the process of site selection with Pine Bluff Arsenal.”

“Hanwha will produce critical energetic materials in the U.S. that will enhance the speed and range of U.S. munitions and address critical shortfalls in the U.S. Army’s munitions production capacity,” said Hanwha Defense USA COO Mike Smith. “Not only will this project introduce advanced manufacturing technologies, but it will create skilled jobs in the region and position Hanwha to support follow-on U.S. Army contracts.”

This investment will also allow Hanwha to potentially transform an underutilized Army property into a modern asset that advances both U.S. national defense priorities and U.S. Army priorities, including readiness that protects today’s warfighter.