Leading Hanwha’s global defense strategy: Michael Coulter’s vision for building what’s next

Q. Thank you for speaking with us today. Could you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your background? 

Of course. I joined Hanwha as the CEO and President at Hanwha Global Defense in December 2024. I have worked in the defense space for 30 years, with experience ranging from the distinguished honor of serving in the U.S. Navy to senior leadership positions in the federal and legislative branches of the U.S. government and within the defense industry. As I care deeply about global security, I am thrilled to be joining Hanwha and helping the company propel itself into a position of leadership within the industry.

Q. How have the past six months been since joining Hanwha?

I have certainly cherished my time getting to know the people at Hanwha so far; it is an honor to share my experiences and a pleasure to learn from their experiences. And I have particularly enjoyed deepening the ties between our Korea team and our growing global team and partners. As a result, I’ve been busy over the past few months, so I have not had any free time since joining Hanwha. However, I hope to get a chance to play golf in South Korea and attend a Hanwha Eagles game at some point.

Q. We are well aware of your extensive career experience that spans a variety of roles in national security and defense, but could you elaborate on your professional experience for our readers? 

When I reflect on my personal experience, I feel a great sense of humility. I have had the honor of serving with great teams and leaders in times of great global consequence — just as I am here at Hanwha today. 

Personally, I have always sought opportunities where I can contribute and grow by undertaking ambitious challenges and coming to understand new perspectives. I am passionate about driving global security: creating economic growth, deepening relationships between allies, partners, and industries, and delivering the best technology to our military service members who protect us. These guiding principles have led me to board rooms, battlefields, parliaments, cutting-edge labs, and shipyards — as well as the White House Situation Room.

Q. What led to your decision to join Hanwha?

Hanwha is respected around the world as a leading aerospace and defense company, and I am deeply honored to be asked to lead the company on a global journey.

We have an opportunity to do something truly great, for the team at Hanwha, for the Republic of Korea, for our allies and partners, and global security. To articulate the position that Hanwha holds in the defense ecosystem, it helps to bring up the current situation. The fact of the matter is that the world is currently going through multiple crises, with shifts in the global landscape that challenge the status quo. But with Hanwha’s industrial strength, people, and technology, we can address gaps in capacity and deepen relationships with allies and partners. Through this journey, we will position Hanwha as a leading, global aerospace company.

“Personally, I have always sought opportunities where I can contribute and grow by undertaking ambitious challenges and coming to understand new perspectives.”

Q. How do your skills and experiences transfer over to serving in a leadership position at Hanwha? 

I deeply value experience and perspective, and I am eternally curious to learn from others who have experiences different from my own. My career has taken me around the world and exposed me to many different lines of work. I have had the opportunity to serve in combat, which was a great honor in my life. In defense, I’ve worked on both sides: as a government customer, and within the industry itself. This gives me a broad perspective that allows me to bring value to Hanwha’s vision.

Q. What does working in defense industry mean to you personally?

Serving in defense industry is an honor — a form of national and global service — in that we can advance security cooperation between partners to make the world a safer place. And that motivation has fueled me in my careers in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. government, as well as for the last 15 years in the defense industry. 

I see business and interaction between parties as being at the core of what brings us together as humans. Industrial capacity — and mobilizing the commercial sector to achieve that — makes us stronger as a global community. Hanwha plays a critical role in that, and we should all be proud to be part of this team.

Q. How does Hanwha create synergy across its defense businesses?

Hanwha’s broad portfolio allows us to meet needs that some other defense companies who have very good technology simply can’t. Because if a nation is looking to enhance its maritime security, that is impacted not just by the ocean ships that we can provide, but also by the unmanned aerial products that we can provide, by the offshore-range artillery that we can provide. So, our unique portfolio gives us the opportunity to address cross-cutting challenges and provide holistic solutions in today's environment. 

“I'd like to see us being a leading global aerospace and defense player. Hanwha is different in that it has been investing in technology to meet security requirements for a long time. This makes Hanwha uniquely positioned because of who we are, and because of the challenges we've faced.”

Q. What’s Hanwha’s long-term vision and how do you plan on executing it?

I see us being a leading global aerospace and defense player — not just by growing larger and more capable, but by evolving into a multi-domestic company. That means preserving the core strengths of Hanwha’s Korean heritage while expanding internationally to allow global partners to collaboratively build a more robust defense ecosystem. Based on the work we are already doing with our partners both in South Korea and around the world, I would say that we are well on our way. 

Q. What excites you most about working at Hanwha?

While there are many great global defense companies — that frankly, the world needs right now — Hanwha is different in that it has been investing in technology and industrial capacity to meet security requirements for a long time. 

This makes Hanwha uniquely positioned because of who we are, and because of the challenges we've faced. The world sees that, and there's a great pull from partners around the globe to present technologies and capacity that bring historic investment forward.

But we're not stopping there. With the current state of the world, security challenges are changing requirements.

We are very actively investing to make sure that we continue to have the best technology and a global industrial presence. Hanwha is not relying on who we've been — we have an eye on the future and meeting those needs. 

Q. As Hanwha expands on the global stage, what qualities do you see as essential for the team to thrive?

It is essential to our global growth to be not just the boldest and hardest working in the industry, but to be lifelong learners. We need to understand and value the perspectives of our global end-users, customers, partners, and even our own team members. So, to evolve, our team must broaden our own perspective by seeking out and taking on global opportunities. I demand this of myself and expect this of our current and future global leaders at Hanwha.

About Michael Coulter

Michael Coulter has extensive experience in both government and the defense sector, including leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, and Leonardo DRS International. He is a U.S. Navy reserve officer with command and combat experience across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. At Hanwha, he is responsible for overseeing the global defense businesses of Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Ocean, and Hanwha Systems.

Keep up with Michael on LinkedIn.