LIG Defense Partnered With Fire Hawk on Rocket Tech
The companies signed an agreement to develop a propulsion system for the Bigung guided rocket for the U.S. market.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Military
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LIG Defense & Aerospace has entered into a technical agreement with Fire Hawk to develop a new propulsion system for the 2.75-inch Bigung guided rocket. The partnership aims to combine South Korean rocket technology with U.S.-based 3D printing manufacturing to facilitate entry into the U.S. defense market.
Why it matters
The collaboration is designed to accelerate the deployment of the Bigung rocket in the United States by localizing production. This strategic move leverages existing U.S. manufacturing capabilities to potentially expedite defense procurement processes.
The agreement focuses on the 2.75-inch Bigung guided rocket, which previously cleared a foreign comparison test during the 2024 Rim of the Pacific exercise. The project utilizes Fire Hawk’s 3D printing technology to develop the rocket's propulsion system.
The players
LIG Defense & Aerospace
This South Korean firm has 50 years of experience in defense technology and developed the Bigung guided rocket.
Fire Hawk
This United States-based company specializes in rocket propulsion manufacturing using advanced 3D printing technology.
The details
Signed at the Association of the United States Army exhibition, the agreement formalizes a plan for joint marketing and future mass production discussions. LIG Defense & Aerospace intends to use this partnership to establish a domestic production footprint within the United States.
Timeline
The Bigung rocket passed a foreign comparison test at RIMPAC in 2024.
LIG Defense & Aerospace and Fire Hawk signed the technical agreement on October 13, 2026.
The agreement was formally announced on October 14, 2026.
Political Context
The collaboration follows the successful foreign comparison test of the Bigung rocket during the 2024 Rim of the Pacific exercise. This partnership marks a shift toward localizing foreign-developed defense technology within the United States to meet domestic procurement requirements.
The partnership focuses on the technical development of defense systems rather than consumer-facing products. The impact on the average taxpayer will depend on future U.S. defense procurement decisions and the potential localization of these manufacturing operations.
The takeaway
This agreement highlights the growing trend of international defense firms partnering with U.S.-based manufacturers to localize specialized hardware. Such collaborations are increasingly common as nations seek to streamline the supply chain for advanced guided munitions.
Further reading
Learn more about defense developments in the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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