U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed support for a new partnership between the United States and South Korea focused on munitions production. Hanwha Defense USA announced plans to invest $1.3 billion in a facility at Pine Bluff Arsenal, which will manufacture energetic materials needed for explosives, propellants, and munitions.
The collaboration involves the U.S. Army and Hanwha Defense USA working together to boost domestic manufacturing capacity while updating the defense industrial base. The partnership is also intended to strengthen deterrence efforts with allied nations.
Senator Wicker stated, “We need to bring new entrants into the American defense industrial base to increase competition and guard against single sources of supply, particularly on key programs like energetics and munitions. This agreement demonstrates how smart partnerships with allies can expand production against our mutual adversaries while reinforcing our domestic industrial base.” He added his appreciation for Senator Cotton’s role in passing legislation as part of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act that enabled this agreement: “I appreciate Senator Cotton’s leadership in advancing laws in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act that helped make this partnership with Hanwha possible.”
The initiative is part of broader efforts supported by recent NDAA provisions aimed at strengthening U.S. defense capabilities through international cooperation and increased investment in critical sectors.