In order to achieve Defense Reform 2.0 and take a leap forward in the defense industry, government ministries jointly provide an opportunity to share the policy directions.
The government, jointly with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, held the ‘Defense Industry Promotion Conference’ in connection with the launching ceremony of the Dosan Anchangho Vessel at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in Gyeojeo Island, Gyeongnam.
At the meeting, about 150 people attended, including President Moon Jae-in who participated in the launching ceremony of Ahn Chang-ho Vessel, National Assembly members of the National Defense Committee, and other members of the National Assembly, defense industry officials, Defense Minister Song Young-moo, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Director Wang Jeong-hong, Army Chief of Staff Kim Yong-woo, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Wang-geun, Naval Chief of Staff Shim Seung-seop, the commander of Marine Corps Jeon Jin-gu, Minister of Science and Technology Yoo Young-min, Industry Minister Baek Un-gyu, Financial Services Commission Chairman Choi Jong-koo, Jobs Committee Vice Chairman Lee Mok-hee, Fourth Industrial Revolution Chairman Jang Byung-gyu, and Gyeongnam Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo.
The government announced the Defense Industry Development Initiatives to drive innovative growth based on the 4th industrial revolution. It predicts that future warfare will be expanded to the universe and cyberspace, and the means of warfare will become unmanned and autonomous. Thus, the government announced that it plans to transform the means of warfare into ▲an intelligent/real-time control system, ▲unmanned/robot weapon system, ▲VR-based training system, and ▲customized 3D printing production system.
Meanwhile, prior to the meeting on the same day, a demonstration and exhibition of cutting-edge equipment using the 4th industrial revolution technology was held at the Cheonjabong Vessel, a 4500-ton Korean landing ship anchored at the pier.
In the exhibition hall, key figures such as President Moon Jae-in watched the demonstration of robots, drones, simulators, and mobile devices developed by defense SMEs and venture companies such as Hexar Systems, Barotech Synergy, and GBLS, as well as government research institutes including the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Defense Agency for Technology and Quality.
They also watched demonstrations of a ‘rescue robot’ that rescues the wounded or handles dangerous substances on behalf of humans in battlefield situations and VR-based shooting training equipment similar to live-action. There were also robot demonstrations such as a robot to increase upper body muscle strength that gives soldiers superhuman strength like Iron Man in the movie, a multi-robot for light patrol combat, and an autonomous driving unmanned vehicle that performs missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and searches.
