Korea to boost defense with 60 advanced technologies

[Graphics by Song Ji-yoon]

South Korea unveiled plans to strengthen its defense sector by focusing on the development of advanced materials and parts in five pivotal fields, including space, artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, robotics, and semiconductors.

The strategy, which was unveiled on Thursday, is part of the government’s roadmap to improve defense capabilities, which it drew up after the first defense materials and parts consultation meeting between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

The roadmap follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense materials and parts cooperation in June 2023, the government bodies have been actively promoting research and development (R&D) to identify and develop 60 core technologies crucial to defense applications, with priority given to technologies that offer localization benefits.

Among the core technologies that are being pursued are advanced aviation engine materials designed for both civilian and military use, a next-generation tank hybrid powertrain, and multi-band transmission and reception modules for unmanned vehicles.

Details on specific technologies and timelines remain undisclosed due to security considerations, an official from the industry ministry explained.

The selection of these 60 projects followed a thorough evaluation by about 30 experts, who took factors such as foreign dependency, supply chain security, and industrial impacts into account.

Moving forward, the government plans to closely monitor the implementation of its roadmap while fostering inter-ministerial collaboration in its R&D efforts.