Military

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  S. Korea becomes SLBM holder with successful test launch from new submarine: report SEOUL -- South Korea made a quiet surprise with unconfirmed reports that a homemade submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was successfully tested. As a result, South Korea has virtually completed the development of SLBMs, becoming the world's eighth SLBM holder after the United States, Russia, Britain, France, India, China and North Korea, Yonhap News said. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD), a state-run defense technology research body, supervised an underwater in 2021-09-07
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  S. Korea's new military buildup program calls for development of powerful ballistic missile SEOUL -- South Korea's defense ministry disclosed plans to develop a strong ballistic missile with significantly increased destructive power, sparking speculation the new weapon would be an enhanced successor to the Hyunmoo-4 missile with a maximum range of 800 kilometers (497 miles) and a warhead weight of two tons. The development of a new ballistic missile was contained in a five-year defense buildup program unveiled on September 2. There have been unconfirmed reports that So 2021-09-02
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  S. Korea develops core technology to maximize performance of gunpowder SEOUL -- Through a five-year project, South Korea's defense technology agency has developed a core technology that can be used for maximizing the performance of gunpowder to increase the damage of projectiles. The agency said that its technology is ideal for destroying buildings and armored vehicles. Gunpowder is a mixture of sulfur, carbon and potassium nitrate. Normally, gunpowder is solely used to propel a bullet out of a cartridge case. Some ammunitions use a propellant comp 2021-08-24
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  Two shipbuilders join force to participate in construction of light aircraft carrier SEOUL -- Two shipbuilders known for their experience in building warships in South Korea joined forces to participate in a military project aimed at constructing a light aircraft carrier capable of carrying vertical landing combat jets with indigenous technology. The Defense Ministry has unveiled the so-called CVX project to build a 30,000-ton light aircraft carrier manned by more than 400 crew members. Some 2.33 trillion won ($2.09 billion) will be spent from 2022 to 2033 only on b 2021-08-19
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  Second-tier interceptor capable of blocking ballistic missiles ready for mass production SEOUL -- South Korea's home-grown medium-range guided interceptor capable of blocking both ballistic missiles and aircraft is ready for mass production after it passed a shooting test to certify its quality. It is the mid-tier interceptor in South Korea's independent three-tier aerial and missile defense system called "Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD)," based mainly on Russian technology. Cheongung-II passed ballistic missile and aircraft intercept tests on Au 2021-08-19
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  Hanwha Defense selected for military project to modernize bridging equipment SEOUL -- With technology transfer from a foreign company based in Germany, Hanwha Defense, a key defense contractor in South Korea, will produce a new type of self-deployable military equipment that can be used as a bridge or as a ferry to transport weapon systems, troops and supplies over water when permanent bridges are not available. Hanwha Defense, known for high-performance amphibious assault vehicles and self-propelled guns, has been selected by the Defense Acquisition Progr 2021-08-17
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  S. Korea's first 3,000-ton sub capable of firing ballistic missiles delivered for mission SEOUL -- South Korea's first 3,000-ton submarine capable of firing ballistic missiles was delivered for naval missions. It will be deployed in August 2022 after a year of operational capability assessment. Details on its weapons system were not disclosed, but military experts say the new submarine has six vertical launchers for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The diesel-electric submarine named "Dosan Ahn Chang-ho" joined South Korea's naval submarin 2021-08-13
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  British nuclear-powered submarine docked at Busan port ahead of aircraft carrier's arrival SEOUL -- Britain's nuclear-powered submarine HMS Artful has been docked at a military pier in South Korea's southern port of Busan ahead of a port call by the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its strike group in late August. Sailors were to go through quarantine measures such as COVID-19 testing during their stay in South Korea. The submarine is docked in the port of Busan for the loading of munitions and the rest of its crew, South Korea's d 2021-08-12
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  S. Korea develops explosive reactive material structures for projectiles SEOUL -- South Korea's state defense technology development agency has developed a new compound material made of non-combustible powders that becomes self-reactive in highly pressurized and extremely heated environments. The new reactive material structures can maximize the explosive power of projectiles on impact. Projectile weapons including missiles and rockets consist of explosive materials such as black powder and a burster, which is a device also known as a detonator burst 2021-08-10
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  S. Korea's defense ministry works with U.S. to fend off cyber threats SEOUL -- U.S. and South Korean defense ministries have agreed to strengthen their coordination against cyber threats and share information in their first meeting of the virtual ICT cooperation committee. They would hold consultations every year to discuss cooperation in information and communication technology. At the meeting held on August 4, the two allies agreed to strengthen their coordination in various aspects such as a weapons system to maintain a solid joint defense posture, 2021-08-05
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  DAPA endorses scheme to build next-generation frigates with improved anti-aircraft detection capabilities SEOUL -- South Korea's defense procurement agency endorsed a military scheme to go ahead with the home-made construction of next-generation frigates with improved anti-aircraft detection capabilities and viability. The project requires about 3.51 trillion won ($3.07 billion) from 2023 to 2032. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state arms procurement agency controlled by the defense ministry, said it has approved the FFX Batch-Ⅳ program. Details such as d 2021-08-04
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  Attack drone capable of remote control grenade shooting selected for military testing SEOUL -- South Korea's military will test an attack drone capable of remote control shooting that uses an optical thermal imaging camera and laser, allowing soldiers to directly aim at targets within two kilometers and fire six 40mm grenades that use the explosive power of gunpowder and debris embedded in each shell. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state arms procurement agency controlled by the defense ministry, said it has signed a deal with Korea CN 2021-08-03
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  Thailand signs $78 mln deal to purchase two more T-50 trainers from KAI SEOUL -- South Korea's sole aircraft maker has secured a new deal worth $78 million to deliver two more T-50 military trainers by the end of November 2023 to Thailand. The contract comes on the heels of efforts by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to sell its trainer to Malaysia and other countries in Africa and South America. KAI said in a regulatory filing on August 2 that Thailand would receive two T-50 trainers with equipment for tactical training as well as a follow-up 2021-08-02
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  LIG Nex1 completes demonstration of new unmanned coastguard patrol boat SEOUL -- LIG Nex1, a defense contractor involved in the development of radar and missile guidance systems, has completed the development and demonstration of a new unmanned coastguard patrol boat equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment, a remote shooting control system, and a guided rocket launcher. LIG Nex1 said the Haegum-3 unmanned boat features high seaworthiness, artificial intelligence-based autonomous operation technology and enhanced combat capabilities that wo 2021-07-28
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  Oshkosh-Hanwha consortium selected to compete for concept design of new U.S. infantry fighting vehicle SEOUL -- A consortium led by U.S defense contractor Oshkosh Defense and its South Korean partner, Hanwha Defense, has been selected to compete for the concept design of a new armored combat vehicle that would replace the U.S Army's M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle which has seen service since the early 1980s. The Oshkosh-Hanwha team has been selected as one of the five contenders for the concept design phase of the optionally manned fighting vehicle (OMFV) program, which is 2021-07-27
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  Korean Air leads military program on space rocket launch using civilian aircraft SEOUL -- South Korea's top flag carrier Korean Air will follow the footsteps of Virgin Orbit, a California-based company that provides launch services for small satellites, to analyze the possibility of launching space rockets using civilian aircraft. The development of a projectile launched in the air is possible after Washington lifted restrictions on South Korea's missile development in May. LauncherOne is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by Virgin Orbit that 2021-07-20
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  S. Korea's upgraded K9 self-propelled guns deployed to front-line island SEOUL -- K9A1, an upgraded version of South Korea's K9 self-propelled gun, has been deployed to a front-line island that was shelled by North Korea's artillery in 2010, killing four people and briefly triggering concerns of a full-scale conflict. There was no publicity or official confirmation on the placement of advanced guns that put North Korea's coast batteries in range. "More than three K9A1 self-propelled guns have been deployed to the Yeonpyeong unit of Marin 2021-07-15
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  Hyundai Rotem's multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicles delivered for military test operation SEOUL -- For a six-month military test operation, Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of South Koreas Hyundai auto group, has delivered two multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicles that weigh two tons and are capable of carrying supplies, searching battlefields and evacuating patients. It is the first unmanned vehicle to be introduced by South Korean troops. Hyundai Rotem said in a statement on July 7 that two multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have been delivered through the Def 2021-07-07
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  Korean Air to purchase four Falcon 2000S jets for medium-altitude spy plane program SEOUL -- South Korea's top flag carrier Korean Air will bring in four twin-engine Falcon 2000S business jets from France's Dassault Aviation to turn them into medium-altitude Baekdu spy planes. To reduce its dependence on U.S. intelligence, South Korean troops have bolstered intelligence capabilities by purchasing more spy planes or upgrading the surveillance capabilities of those in service. The South Korean military is currently operating six Baekdu-class reconnaissance 2021-07-01
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  Hanwha's Redback infantry fighting vehicle to be tested by S. Korean army SEOUL -- The AS21 Redback developed by Hanwha Defense will be tested by a mechanized unit in South Korea in 2022 to evaluate its operational fit. Hanwha has developed the new infantry fighting vehicle to meet future warfare requirements with enhanced protection, firepower and performance. The AS21 Redback has been shortlisted as a candidate for an Australian military project to replace old armored personnel carriers. It is competing with the Lynx developed by Rheinmetall Landsyste 2021-07-01