Hanwha Systems has ranked first in a state tender to develop a constellation of ultra-small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites for South Korea’s military, edging out Korea Aerospace Industries on price in a two-way contest. Commissioned by the state-run Agency for Defense Development and procured through the Public Procurement Service, the project involves the defense ministry, the Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Korea Coast Guard. The constellation is intended to improve monitoring of security threats and natural disasters across the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters. SAR satellites can image land and sea during daytime and nighttime and through adverse weather, while multiple small satellites support more frequent observation and faster intelligence gathering. Hanwha Systems has previously supplied SAR sensors and data links for South Korea’s military reconnaissance satellites.