[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] Hancom Lifecare (CEO Seon-young Kim), a defense and safety equipment specialist and subsidiary of Hangul & Computer (hereinafter referred to as Hancom), announced on the 6th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for comprehensive business cooperation with global firearms manufacturer Beretta.

This agreement was pursued to enhance Hancom Lifecare's brand awareness in the defense market and to lay the foundation for overseas expansion of the defense business, which is being promoted as a new growth engine.

The MOU signing ceremony took place in Las Vegas, USA, where the world’s largest shooting, hunting, and outdoor exhibition, the SHOT Show, was held. Considering the importance of the business, Hancom Group Vice Chairman Byun Sung-jun attended in person, and Hancom Lifecare CEO Kim Sun-young, Beretta Chairman Carlo Ferlito, Edoardo Rossi, Head of Marketing, and Benjamin Klement, Head of Sales, and other officials from both sides met at Beretta’s exhibition booth.

The two sides agreed to jointly pursue small arms-related projects, including special operation submachine guns and next-generation new rifles. In the future, the two companies agreed to continuously discuss ways to discover new defense-related projects, such as technological partnerships and participation in domestic firearms projects. In addition, in addition to domestic business cooperation, they plan to explore entering the Southeast Asian market centered around Hancom SPI, a subsidiary of Hancom Lifecare located in the Philippines.

Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer founded in 1526, and is the world’s oldest firearms manufacturer with a history of over 500 years. It has established itself as a global leader in the defense industry and sports firearms market, and this agreement is expected to be an important opportunity for Hancom Lifecare to acquire advanced technology and know-how.

Hancom Life Care is focusing on strengthening its defense business and advancing into the global market. Recently, it successfully secured the initial order by signing an exclusive supply contract for K3 and K11 gas masks with a U.S. personal safety equipment (PPE) specialist company. This is evaluated as a case that has established a bridgehead for entering the North American market.

The K3 and K11 gas masks have obtained performance that meets the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards and the European Union Standard (CE) certification mark, proving the excellence and technological prowess of the products internationally. In addition, in December of last year, the company signed a 10 billion won military uniform supply contract with the Philippine Army, accelerating its development into overseas markets.

Kim Sun-young, CEO of Hancom Lifecare, said, “We expect to further solidify our position in the global defense market through this business agreement with Beretta,” and added, “We will make a leap forward as a global defense company through continuous technology development and the establishment of global partnerships.” She added, “We plan to create synergy by combining Hancom Lifecare’s innovative technology with Beretta’s abundant experience, thereby contributing to the development of the domestic defense industry and further strengthening our global competitiveness.”