Military

• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  S. Korea's military endorses development of Iron Dome air defense system SEOUL -- South Korea will push for a 13-year military project to develop the Korean version of Iron Dome, an air defense system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired by North Korea's long-range artillery deployed along the heavily armed border. The project is aimed at securing a dome-shaped air defense network by installing guided missile launchers at various locations through domestic research and development to protect important natio 2021-06-28
• 
  S. Korea commissions second amphibious warfare ship with enhanced combat capabilities SEOUL -- South Korea commissioned a second amphibious warfare ship that can accommodate amphibious assault vehicles for landing by marine troops. The new ship's combat capabilities have been strengthened by installing new equipment that will contribute to acquiring know-how for the construction and operation of a light aircraft carrier. The 14,500-ton amphibious assault ship named "Marado" designed by Hanjin Heavy Industries is 199 meters and can sail at a maximum sp 2021-06-28
• 
  LIG Nex1 opens assembly and inspection center for upper-tier missile defense system SEOUL -- LIG Nex1, a defense contractor involved in the development of radar and missile guidance systems, has opened a dedicated assembly and inspection center for an upper-tier missile defense system which is slated to be ready in 2024. South Korea has strived to develop an independent aerial and missile defense system, based mainly on Russian technology. The opening ceremony took place on June 23 in Gimcheon, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) southeast of Seoul. "We will do 2021-06-25
• 
  Gallium nitride power amplification device localized in S. Korea SEOUL -- South Korea has localized technology to mass-produce a gallium nitride power amplification device that stabilizes the output of high-intensity energy emitted in a short time. It is a strategic material that has been used for mobile communication equipment and high-tech weapons such as radars. Due to high power density and voltage breakdown limits, gallium nitride (GaN) is emerging as a promising candidate for 5G cellular base station applications. GaN transistors make ide 2021-06-22
• 
  Anti-drone system being tested at military facilities to neutralize ultra-small drones SEOUL -- South Korea's military will test-run a radar-linked solution that can detect ultra-small drones and fire interference radio waves to neutralize them before they reach key military facilities. It is capable of detecting an ultra-small drone about eight kilometers away. The anti-drone solution developed by K-NETZ, an IT company, will be piloted for six months from June 22, said the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state arms procurement agency contro 2021-06-22
• 
  S. Korea's military to test two new surveillance systems in border areas SEOUL -- Two new surveillance devices using robots, high-resolution cameras or sound sensors will be tested in the second half of 2021 to lessen the heavy work of South Korean border guards and minimize blind spots through non-stop surveillance missions. One is a sentry robot that moves at least five meters per second along the rail. For test operation, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state arms procurement agency, will purchase two surveillance systems fr 2021-06-15
• 
  Hanwha Systems joins development of autonomous underwater vehicles for clustered search SEOUL -- A consortium involving Hanwha Systems and state research bodies will develop an autonomous underwater vehicle for clustered search and its operating system in a state project to establish a marine unmanned system that enables rapid and accurate underwater exploration. The project hosted by the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion (KIMST) will cost some 25 billion won ($22 million) by 2025. It is designed to protect the golden time of saving lives b 2021-06-14
• 
  S. Korea localizes high-performance armor plate for armored vehicles SEOUL -- South Korea's defense agency has succeeded in the localization of materials for high-performance armor plates that are used for the protection of armored vehicles. The development of new armor plates will help reduce domestic companies' dependency on foreign materials in the manufacturing of defense products. Military vehicles including light-armored vehicles and armored fighting vehicles are normally clad in plates of armor that protect machinery and personnel from 2021-06-08