Military

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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, operating rooms, medical rooms and sickbeds, according to t 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 development of a 30,000-ton light aircra 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-term health effects. 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 Administration (DAPA), a sta 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 verification will be produce 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 aviation policy at t 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 won ($567 million) to provide a phased array multifunction rad 2020-09-16
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  S. Korea's defense agency reveals development plan for attack and reconnaissance drones 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 has started a ten-year project to spend some 2.7 trillion won ($2.2 billion) on beefing up military drone capabilities. Images of two attac 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 Administration (DAPA), a state 2020-09-15
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  S. Korean military to deploy new 120 mm self-propelled mortar system 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 variant of the K200A1 tracked armored vehicle developed by Hanwha Defense. The project costing about 770 billion won ($647 m 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 satellite frequency sha 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," LIG Nex1 CEO Kim 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 ignited. U.S. troops use floating smoke pots to screen amphi 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. South Korea 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 ceremony sponsored by the Defense 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 range of missiles. S 2020-08-06
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  Daewoo shipbuilder partners with college research team to develop cybersecurity for smart warships. 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 technologies would be applied to protect smart warships against cyberattacks. Cybersecurity technology is esse 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 screening of transmissions developed by a South Kore 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 development of defense products and technologies 2020-07-13
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  Appeals committee rejects transgender soldier's request for military service SEOUL -- A military appeals committee rejected a request by Byun Hee-soo, a 22-year-old transgender staff sergeant, for her undisrupted military service as a tank pilot at a front-line camp, ruling an earlier decision to discharge the soldier was made legitimately. Byun has expressed a desire to keep serving in the military, but it's not known now whether the soldier will file administration litigation. Byung's legal fight has attracted widespread social attention as it was 2020-07-03