Military

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  Differences over type of combat jets for S. Korea's first aircraft carrier SEOUL -- Differences have been expressed over the type of vertical landing combat jets after South Korea's defense ministry embarked on the development of core technologies for a light aircraft carrier carrying 430 crew members. Military officials favor F-35B, the short take-off and vertical landing variant of Lockheed Martin's F-35A stealth fighters. A defense buildup program unveiled in August included the development of a 30,000-ton l 2020-10-28
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  S. Korean navy takes delivery of first ship for cadet training SEOUL -- South Korea's navy took delivery of its first training ship mounted with an advanced education and training system that allows cadets to master simulated combat aboard various vessels including destroyers and frigates. The 4,500-ton ship, Hansando, can accommodate 120 sailors and 300 cadets. The 42-meter-long training ship, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in November 2018, is installed with lecture rooms, ope 2020-10-21
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  Navy chief proposes launch of S. Korea's first light aircraft carrier in 2033 SEOUL -- There is not enough national consensus yet over a costly project to build light aircraft carriers capable of supporting vertical landing combat jets, but South Korea's navy chief unveiled a more specific blueprint for the launch of the first one carrying 430 crew members in 2033 to join an arms race in Northeast Asia to retain carrier task groups. A defense buildup program unveiled by the defense ministry in August included the dev 2020-10-16
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  Lawmaker demands probe into 1.8 mln depleted uranium shells stored by U.S. troops in S. Korea SEOUL -- A ruling party lawmaker called for an investigation into some 1.8 million rounds of depleted uranium ammunition stored by U.S. troops at two military airbases in South Korea, warning that a potential explosion could cause devastating damage to nearby residential areas. Depleted uranium has a lower content of the fissile isotope U-235 than natural uranium. The use of depleted uranium in munitions is controversial because of concerns about potential long-ter 2020-10-15
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  Hyundai Rotem secures new order to deliver K806 and K808 wheeled armored vehicles SEOUL -- Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, has secured a defense order worth 407.7 billion won ($348.6 million) to deliver the third batch of K806 and K808 wheeled armored vehicles that would replace the aging series of tracked armored personnel carriers. They have an all-welded steel armor hull and provide protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The order from the Defense Acquisition Program A 2020-09-29
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  3,600-ton sub installed with lithium-ion batteries to be delivered in 2026 SEOUL -- A 3,600-ton submarine installed with lithium-ion batteries will be delivered to South Korea's submarine fleet in 2026. Lithium-ion batteries are more power-efficient, take up less space and improve underwater navigation capability and high-speed maneuvering compared to conventional lead-acid batteries. South Korea has carried out the preliminary design of a diesel-electric submarine carrying lithium-ion batteries. A prototype for performance verifi 2020-09-24
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  Airbus' EC155B1 helicopter line to be relocated to S. Korea in 2021 SEOUL -- Airbus, a European aircraft manufacturer, will relocate the production line of its EC155B1 helicopter to the base of its Korean partner next year and cooperate in the commercialization of personal air vehicles and drones, under an agreement between South Korean and EU aviation regulators. A working arrangement was concluded at a video conference between European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) CEO Patrick Ky and Kim Sang-do, a senior official in charge of 2020-09-18
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  Hanwha Systems selected to provide crucial equipment for next-generation destroyer SEOUL -- Hanwha Systems will provide crucial equipment such as a combat management system and multifunction radars for South Korea's next-generation 6,000-ton "mini Aegis" destroyer that will have cruise missiles, advanced sensors, a missile defense system and stealth characteristics, all built with pure domestic technologies. Hanwha System was selected as the preferred bidder for a deal worth 670 billion w 2020-09-16
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  S. Korea's defense agency reveals development plan for attack and reconnaissance drones A soldier operates a prototype attack drone equipped with a K-2 assault rifle. SEOUL -- South Korea's arms procurement agency disclosed images showing the prototypes of two military attack drones, one equipped with a K-2 assault rifle and the other with grenade launchers, that would support soldiers in battlefields. In an online seminar on September 15, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that it 2020-09-15
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  S. Korea to localize German engine of K-9 self-propelled howitzer SEOUL -- South Korea will localize the German diesel engine of its K-9 self-propelled howitzer, which is one of the country's best-selling ground weapons, as part of a state project to acquire original technologies for key imported parts. Research and development will begin in 2021. K-9, produced by Hanwha Defense, boasts a high localization rate, but its engine has been provided by MTU Friedrichshafen of Germany. The Defense Acquisition Program Adm 2020-09-15
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  S. Korean military to deploy new 120 mm self-propelled mortar system This captured picture shows the K200A1 tracked armored vehicle developed by Hanwha Defense. SEOUL -- The proposed deployment of a new 120-millimeter self-propelled mortar system was endorsed by a defense ministry-controlled state body in charge of arms acquisition. It is equipped with an automated fire control system featuring improved accuracy and range compared and enables rapid and precise firepower support. The self-propelled system is based on a varia 2020-09-09
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  S. Korea pushes for independent design and production of a military satellite communication system SEOUL -- South Korea will push for the independent design and production of a military satellite communication system by utilizing technology acquired through the successful launch of its first military communications satellite, ANASIS-II, that was put into orbit on July 30 atop a rocket manufactured by U.S commercial space firm SpaceX. The Agency for Defense Development, a state agency for research and development in defense technology, said it would study sat 2020-08-28
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  S. Korean defense firms strengthen research into electromagnetic waves for military use SEOUL -- Two major defense firms in South Korea joined hands with a research body respectively for research in electromagnetic waves that can be used in radar and other types of military equipment. LIG Nex1 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science (KIEES) for cooperation in electromagnetic wave technology. "LIG Nex1 has been pushing for R&D and localization of various weapons systems,&q 2020-08-21
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  S. Korea develops new smoke pots capable of blocking infrared detection in battlefields SEOUL -- South Korea has developed smoke pots that can block not only visual observation but also infrared detection in battlefields. A defense ministry-controlled state body in charge of arms acquisition, highlighted the export competitiveness of home-made smoke pots, citing their excellent performance and lower price than U.S. products. Smoke canisters or pots contain chemicals that produce a great quantity of smoke when 2020-08-14
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  S. Korea discloses defense program for construction of light aircraft carrier SEOUL -- South Korea's defense ministry will push ahead with the development of a 30,000-ton light aircraft carrier capable of supporting vertical landing combat jets such as F-35B, a variant of American stealth multirole fighters, as well as a 4,000-ton submarine with strengthened armed capabilities, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles. A new defense buildup program unveiled by the defense ministry included the development of a light aircraft carrier. 2020-08-10
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  S. Korea unveils home-made AESA radar for next-generation fighter jet SEOUL -- The first prototype of a computer-controlled array antenna system for South Korea's home-made KF-X fighter jet was unveiled as a result of strenuous research work that began in 2016 after the United States refused to transfer sensitive core technologies such as radar steal function. Developers were lauded for acquiring independent technologies. The prototype of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system was showcased in a cerem 2020-08-07
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  S. Korea joins arms race in Northeast Asia to develop hypersonic missiles SEOUL -- Satisfied with its technological advance in missile capabilities and guided systems, South Korea has expressed its desire to join an arms race among major powers such as the United States, China and Russia in developing hypersonic missiles, which are too fast to be intercepted by any current missile defense system. The two Koreas have been locked in a race to develop and produce various missiles, with North Korea taking the upper hand in extending the r 2020-08-06
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  Daewoo shipbuilder partners with college research team to develop cybersecurity for smart warships. This file image shows an electrically driven Zoomwalt-class U.S. destroyer. SEOUL -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) joined hands with a research team from Korea Univesity to develop cybersecurity technologies for next-generation smart warships. Cybersecurity protects networks connected to high-tech vessels in operation from cyberattacks. Yoon In-sang in charge of DSME's special ship design said that advanced cybersecurity technologie 2020-07-17
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  Home-made transmissions earn chance of being used for K2 tanks SEOUL -- Home-made transmissions can be used for South Korea's main battle tank after a defense ministry-controlled state body in charge of arms acquisition unveiled revised standards on durability defects, paving the way for Hyundai Rotem to go ahead with the third mass-production of K2 Black Panther tanks this year. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that it would apply revised standards fairly to the screen 2020-07-16
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  ​S. Korea's defense agency to promote research of non-weapon core technologies SEOUL -- South Korea's state body controlled by the Defense Ministry has revised work guidelines to promote the development of non-weapon core technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing through the more active participation of academic and industrial sectors participate in short and long term defense projects. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement that the research and developme 2020-07-13