Military

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  War in Ukraine disrupts S. Korean space program to put satellites into orbit SEOUL -- U.S.-led international sanctions caused by a prolonged war in Ukraine are disrupting South Korea's space program, prompting policymakers to find alternatives or rectify its timetable on placing satellites into orbit aboard Russian space rockets. South Korea is a traditional U.S. ally with their military ties dating back to the 1950-53 Korean War. South Korea is to launch a second medium-sized satellite weighing 500 kilograms for precise ground observation at the Baik 2022-08-04
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  Hanwha Aerospace aims to become global defense solution company like Lockeed Martin SEOUL -- Hanwha Aerospace, an aircraft parts maker involved in the production of engines for South Korea's homegrown space rocket, will be reborn as a global defense solution company to benchmark Lockheed Martin, a U.S. aerospace, arms, defense, information security, and technology corporation. In a board meeting on July 29, Hanwha Aerospace was allowed to absorb the defense business of Hanwha Corporation, a manufacturing and trading company that produces munitions, navigatio 2022-07-29
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  Attack submarine fleet breaks man-only custom to allow female soldiers into cabin SEOUL -- South Korea's attack submarine fleet broke a man-only custom and approved the boarding of female crewmembers into the narrow cabin by installing separate woman-only accommodation and toilets. Female soldiers would be deployed to 3,000-ton submarines in 2024 after basic training. The decision came at a Navy policy meeting on July 28. It is the first time in 31 years that a female soldier will be deployed to a submarine since South Korea's first 1,200-ton sub was com 2022-07-29
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  First 8,200-ton guided-missile Aegis destroyer launched at Hyundai shipyard SEOUL -- A 8,200-ton guided-missile destroyer featuring an Aegis combat system was launched in a ceremony chaired by President Yoon Suk-yeol, who described the new vessel as "a national strategic asset" with enhanced capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles and carry out anti-submarine operations. The new Aegis destroyer named "Jeongjo The Great" has a strengthened stealth performance, a vertical launch pad for ballistic missile interception, and an advance 2022-07-28
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  Poland signs framework contract to acquire Hanwha's K9 Thunder and and support vehicles SEOUL -- Poland has signed a framework contract to acquire K9 Thunder, a popular self-propelled howitzer developed by South Korea's Hanwha Defense, and support vehicles. It is a comprehensive agreement that requires negotiations on volume and other terms. Earlier, Poland said it has signed basic deals with South Korea to acquire 48 FA-50 light attack fighters, 980 K2 battle tanks and K9s, saying it has been striving to "fill the gap" created by the delivery of weapons 2022-07-28
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  Hanwha Systems joins hands with state body to acquire dynamic simulation technology for warships SEOUL -- Hanwha Systems, a key defense contractor affiliated with South Korea's Hanwha Group, joined hands with a state-run defense technology development body to acquire dynamic simulation technology for warships with a hybrid propulsion system. It is part of efforts to localize key technologies for the operation of warships. The integration of propulsion systems for South Korean warships has heavily relied on entrusted foreign companies, causing concerns about the leakage of d 2022-07-26
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  [FOCUS] S. Korea's military proposes early deployment of dome-shaped air defense network SEOUL -- South Korea's defense ministry proposed the early deployment of a low-altitude missile defense system that intercepts North Korea's long-range artillery shells and cruise missiles sneaking across the tightly guarded inter-Korean border, revealing confidence in the level of technical skills accumulated for decades. An initial military roadmap presented by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), an arms procurement agency, called for the development 2022-07-22
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  Hanwha Systems cooperates with Britain's OneWeb to participate in Australia's military satellite internet project SEOUL -- Hanwha Systems, a key defense contractor involved in the development of antennas in South Korea, will tap overseas defense markets, starting with Australia, through cooperation with OneWeb, a London-based communications company that has launched a network of low-orbit satellites for Internet services. At the Farnborough International Airshow, a trade exhibition in England, Hanwha Systems and the Australian unit of its sister company. Hanwha Defense, signed a memorandum of 2022-07-21
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  Military roadmap contains introduction of fuel cell propulsion for stealth tanks and mobile weaponry SEOUL -- South Korea's new military roadmap for future weaponry came up with the idea of introducing a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for mobile weapon systems such as stealth tanks and securing technology on lightweight high-strength armor. The roadmap was presented by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), an arms procurement agency controlled by the defense ministry, on July 20 at a workshop attended by representatives from private defense companies a 2022-07-20
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  S. Korea claims 'success' in cautious maiden flight of homemade KF-21 fighter jet SEOUL -- South Korea claimed "success" in the cautious maiden flight of its homemade KF-21 fighter jet that followed nearly two decades of strenuous work to shake off doubtful or sometimes depreciatory eyes from top-class foreign aircraft makers. The first jet fighter christened "KF-21 Boramae (Young Hawk)" made a successful 33-minute test flight on July 19 in a closed event on a military runway in the southern city of Sacheon, the home base of Korea Aerospace In 2022-07-19
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  Hanwha Defense to provide 25 more Barracuda armored vehicles to Indonesian police SEOUL -- Hanwha Defense, a major defense company affiliated with South Korea's Hanwha Group, will ship 25 more Barracuda armored wheeled vehicles to Indonesian police forces. The Barracuda is a tactical armored vehicle featuring excellent maneuverability and protection for multiple missions such as reconnaissance and internal security. Barracuda vehicles have been operated by police forces in Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as South Korean troops deployed in Iraq for humanitar 2022-07-06
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  Hyundai shipyard wins Philippine order to build six offshore patrol vessels SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai shipbuilding group has secured an order worth 745 billion won ($580 million) from the Philippines to build and deliver six 2,400-ton offshore patrol vessels by the end of 2028. The ship mounted with a 76mm gun and two 30mm auxiliary guns will have a helideck to operate helicopters and drones. Under a customized contract signed with the Philippine Defense Department in Manila on June 27, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) said it would reflect req 2022-06-27
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  KAI and Lockheed Martin makes fresh commitment to push for global sales of joint product SEOUL -- Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the sole aircraft maker in South Korea, bolstered a strategic partnership with its American partner, Lockheed Martin, to push for global sales of their joint product, shaking off their previous failure to win a Pentagon contract. With Lockheed Martin's technology, KAI produced South Korea's first supersonic trainer, T-50, which has been developed into aerobatic and combat variants such as FA-50. KAI has exported or secured orders to 2022-06-13
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  ADD secures platform technology for automatic generation of high-performance navigation software SEOUL -- South Korea's defense technology development agency has secured a platform technology that automatically generates high-performance and high-quality navigation software needed for the development of new weapons systems such as guided weapons. Navigation software is a key function that determines the accuracy of weapon systems. Mounted on guided weapons or unmanned aerial vehicles, it serves as a guide to accurately find targets and destinations. The Agency for Defense D 2022-06-07
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  Hyundai Rotem secures military order to mass-produce wheel-type command post vehicles SEOUL -- Wheel-type command post vehicles that enable military officers to effectively command and control troops while swiftly moving around on battlefields are ready for mass production for field deployment from 2023. The mobile command post will replace tent-type field command posts. The mobile command post was equipped with a modern command and control system. The application of armored plates and equipment that maintains a higher pressure inside greatly improved the survival o 2022-05-31
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  ​Military project approved to develop mine-sweeping marine helicopter based on homemade transport utility model SEOUL -- South Korea's state arms procurement agency won approval to push for the development of a mine-sweeping marine helicopter, based on a homemade transport utility model which has been used by marine troops. The helicopter searches for and destroys mines in the sea and underwater. A conference chaired by Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup has endorsed a military project to develop a helicopter based on Marineon, the amphibious variant of South Korea's homemade transport ut 2022-05-31
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  Hanwha promotes Redback infantry fighting vehicle as well fit for battlefields like war in Ukraine SEOUL -- The war in Ukraine is changing the paradigm of armored urban warfare. Unlike predictions made by many military specialists, Russia's heavily-armored vehicles including tanks suffered a severe blow from determined Ukrainian soldiers and militia who ambushed in a jungle of buildings and urban structures. While wheeled vehicles were caught up in a deathtrap of mire outside cities, tracked vehicles including tanks found it hard to detect guerilla attacks from rooftops and 2022-05-30
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  S. Korea develops all-terrain autonomous driving technology for unmanned vehicles and drones SEOUL -- South Korea's defense technology development agency has developed an artificial intelligence-based autonomous driving technology for off-road and rough terrains. The technology will be used for upgrading the country's various weaponry systems including unmanned vehicles and drones. Normally, self-driving technologies are designed for ordinary commercial vehicles traveling on paved roads. It is hard for the conventional AI-based system to safely travel through off-r 2022-05-24
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  New bulletproof miltary helmet developed with aramid for maximum performance and minimum weight SEOUL -- A new bulletproof helmet with maximum performance and minimum weight has been developed in South Korea's state project to protect soldiers' lives by localizing aromatic polyamide (aramid), a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers used as a bulletproof material that has been imported. The state-run Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT) said that the new bullet-proof helmet developed together with two domestic com 2022-05-23
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  Hanwha Systems works with Italian defense firm Leonardo to pioneer global markets with advanced array antenna system SEOUL -- Leonardo, an aerospace and defense company in Italy, joined hands with Hanwha Systems, a defense contractor affiliated with South Korea's Hanwha Group, to pioneer global export markets by combining their strengths in developing a computer-controlled array antenna system that determines the survival of fighter jets in aerial warfare. Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars are a computer-controlled array antenna system that can electronically steer the beam of 2022-05-23