Hanwha Aerospace, the defense arm of South Korea’s Hanwha Group, announced on Dec. 16 it appointed Michael Coulter, former president of global defense firm Leonardo DRS International, as president and chief executive officer of its overseas business. This is the second time Hanwha Group has named a non-Korean CEO following Paul Coleman, who led Hanwha Chemical’s bio business unit in 2012.
Analysts interpret Coulter’s appointment as part of a strategy South Korean conglomerates are adopting to prepare for a second Trump administration. Hyundai Motor, for instance, recently named Jose Muñoz, former Chief Operating Officer and head of the Americas region, to oversee its global business as CEO from Jan. 1 next month.
Once Coulter officially takes office after the shareholders’ meeting in March next year, Hanwha Aerospace will operate under a three-person leadership system revolving around Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, President Son Jae-il, and Coulter. Vice Chairman Kim, the eldest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, has spearheaded the company’s overseas strategy until now. When he assumes his role, Coulter is expected to oversee Hanwha Aerospace’s international operations and the overseas business operations of other Hanhwa affiliates, including Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems.
Coulter joined the aerospace and defense industry after an extensive career in the U. S. government. He served as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acting), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Principal Deputy for Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff at the U.S. Department of Defense. He also worked for major defense companies, including General Dynamics and Leonardo DRS.
General Dynamics ranked fifth in global defense sales last year, with Leonardo DRS ranking 13th, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Hanwha Group ranked 24th.
