Military

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  S. Korea produces homemade armored amphibious assault bridges SEOUL -- With technology transfer from a foreign company based in Germany, South Korea started the production of a new type of self-deployable military equipment that can be used as a bridge or as a ferry to transport weapon systems, troops and supplies over water when permanent bridges are not available. The first self-propelled, amphibious bridging vehicle was produced on September 20 under a localization program that costs some 530 billion won ($381 million) by 2027, according to 2022-09-20
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  LIG Nex1 consortium selected for development of technologies for cyber electronic warfare SEOUL -- A consortium involving LIG Nex1, a defense contractor in South Korea, was selected for a state project to develop core technologies for cyber electronic warfare that has gained attention due to a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It is a concept of "soft-kill" operations capable of paralyzing North Korean missiles and networks in wartime and peacetime. Cyber warfare involves hackers using information systems and the internet to disrupt or attack states or comp 2022-09-13
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  Hanwha Defense hopes to talk with Poland's defense group on joint weapons development SEOUL -- Hanwha Defense, a major defense company affiliated with South Korea's Hanwha Group, will open an earnest discussion with Poland's state defense group on the potential joint development of a multiple rocket system and a new infantry fighting vehicle on the sidelines of an arms trade fair in the European country that borders Ukraine. Poland has been interested in introducing Hanwha's next-generation infantry fighting vehicle called "Redback,", which is o 2022-09-06
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  Military program endorsed to improve performance of AH-64E Gurdian attack helicopters SEOUL -- South Korea's military endorsed a program to spend some 400 billion won ($293 million) on improving the performance of AH-64E Guardian attack helicopters in operation with tactical data links and fire control radars by 2027. The program is aimed at producing the same performance as the latest version run by U.S. troops based in South Korea. The proposed performance improvement of Boeing's AH-64 Apache, a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter purchased by South Korea 2022-09-02
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  LIG Nex1 pushes for development of jammer capable of disrupting drone control signals SEOUL -- In line with a government project to neutralize threats by drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, LIG Nex1, a defense contractor in South Korea, will push for the development of a jammer that disturbs control signals and get them off course and into a crash. Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles are widely used on battlefields and for reconnaissance because of their versatility and costs. A war between Russia and Ukraine has highlighted the tactical value of applying countermea 2022-08-22
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  Korean Air selected as preferred bidder for development of low-observable UAV squadron SEOUL -- Korean Air has been selected by South Korea's defense technology development agency as the preferred bidder for the development of a low-observable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) squadron. It is part of a military project to develop multipurpose stealth drones. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has completed the basic design of a UAV squadron. Korean Air aims to develop a stealth UAV squadron and a teaming system in which one manned aircraft and three to four stea 2022-08-16
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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