Military
- S. Korea initiates first step to develop long-range ship-to-air guided missile through $248 mln deal SEOUL -- South Korea has initiated its first steps towards developing a long-range ship-to-air guided missile through a 330.6 billion ($248.6 million) deal with LIG Nex 1, a major defense contractor headquartered in Yongin, a satellite city of Seoul. These missiles are poised to serve as South Korea's next-generation maritime weaponry. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on March 15 that a contract had been signed between the arms procurement agency 15 March 2024
- Defense contractor LIG Nex 1 accelerates first missile supply deal with US government SEOUL -- LIG Nex 1, a prominent South Korean defense contractor, is expediting discussions with the United States government to finalize an export deal for the "Bigung" 70mm laser-guided anti-ship rocket system. While South Korean companies have previously supplied weapon parts and components to the U.S. government, the adoption of Bigung would mark the first time a South Korean full weaponry system is integrated into Washington's arsenal. The impetus for this develo 13 March 2024
- KAI to inject $68.7 mln for development of autonomous drones and single-seater FA-50 fighter jets FA-50 developed by the Korea Aerospace Industries SEOUL -- The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a major defense company in South Korea specializing in aerial vehicle research and development, is set to accelerate the development and commercialization of autonomous aerial vehicles and the single-seater variant of the FA-50 supersonic light fighter jet. In a board meeting held on March 8, KAI announced its plan to inject a total of 90.8 billion won ($69.7 million) into t 8 March 2024
- Hanwha Ocean condemns data leak regarding Navy destroyer project SEOUL -- Hanwha Ocean has strongly condemned the leak of confidential information related to the KDDX, a multi-billion-dollar project to build a new generation of destroyers for the South Korean Navy, by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, calling it a “serious criminal act.” The company also criticized the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)'s decision not to restrict HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ participation in the KDDX project bidding, despite the co 5 March 2024
- S. Korean aircraft maker to showcase homemade light-armed helicopter in Singapore SEOUL -- At a global air show in Singapore, South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will present its light-armed helicopter, designed to replace an aging fleet of light helicopters such as MD500s and AH-1S Cobra. At the biennial event, some 1,000 companies from over 50 countries will showcase technologies in aviation and military capabilities. The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) unveiled its plan in November 2022 to mass-produce LAHs with an injection of 5.75 21 February 2024
- S. Korean aircraft maker partners with German arms maker targeting European market SEOUL -- South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will work with Diehl Defence, a weapon manufacturer in Germany, targeting the European defense market. "IRIS-T," an air-to-air missile made by the German arms maker, is set to be integrated with South Korea's homemade fighter jet FA-50. Diehl Defence led the IRIS-T development project which involves members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This advanced missile boasts a maximum spee 19 February 2024
- S. Korea and Colombia agree on mutual airworthy certification program for military aircraft SEOUL -- South Korea's arms procurement agency has partnered with Colombia's defense authority to jointly roll out a mutual airworthiness certification program for military aircraft. The mutual certification program will reduce the time taken in the verification process for the safety of military aircraft. The airworthiness certification is designed to ensure the safety of an aircraft and evaluate the essential criteria for its design, production, and operation. Colombia i 14 February 2024
- S. Korea secures $3.2 bln deal to provide anti-missile system to Saudi Arabia SEOUL -- South Korea has secured an export deal worth $3.2 billion to supply a medium-range surface-to-air missile system to Saudi Arabia. The weapon called "Cheongung-II" features the function of intercepting aircraft and ballistic missiles at an altitude of about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). The missile interceptor is South Korea's core air and missile defense system against North Korea's ballistic projectiles. The defense solution can continuously fire a maximu 7 February 2024