• Land Warfare

  ADEX 2017: Korea engineers new vehicle

  19th October 2017

  Hyundai Rotem displayed a scale model of its Korean Combat Engineering Vehicle (KCEV) at the Seoul ADEX 2017 exhibition from 17-22 October, plus the company …

• Defence Helicopter

  ADEX 2017: Romeo woos Seoul destroyer

  17th October 2017

  The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) is expected to release an RfP for a second batch of naval helicopters suitable for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in …

• Defence Helicopter

  ADEX 2017: Surion uncoils its wings

  18th October 2017

  Representing the gradual expansion of its KUH-1 Surion helicopter range, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) demonstrated a new version for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  South Korea counters neighbour with UAV tech

  23rd January 2017

  Earlier this month the Ministry of National Defense in South Korea announced plans to field a laser-based counter-UAV system by 2020. Seoul estimates that North …

• Digital Battlespace

  Belarus unveils new air surveillance radar

  14th October 2016

  The Belarus state-owned company SPLLC OKB TSP has made the first public presentation of its new RLS-50 3D air surveillance mobile radar.  This has been …

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing aids Korean unmanned MD 500s

  23rd September 2016

  Via a memorandum of agreement signed on 22 September, Boeing will renew cooperation with Korean Air Lines (KAL) to convert South Korean military MD 500D …

• Digital Battlespace

  South Korea boosts ballistic missile defences

  23rd February 2016

  Ballistic missile defence is a top priority in South Korea after North Korea’s latest nuclear test on 6 January and rocket test on 7 February.  …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Korean Air wins UAV contract

  14th January 2016

  The Aerospace Division of Korean Air (KAL-ASD) has won a substantial contract for tactical UAVs for the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), confirming Shephard’s report …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Apache and Gray Eagle team up in Korea

  19th November 2015

  The US Army is able to conduct aerial manned-unmanned teaming missions in South Korea, according to an announcement from General Atomics on 18 November. In …

• Land Warfare

  ADEX 2015: Kia spawns LTV family members

  26th October 2015

  Kia Motors’ new family of 4x4 light tactical vehicles for the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) is taking shape, as evidenced by the exhibition of …

• Digital Battlespace

  ADEX 2015: South Korea’s tactical network takes shape

  29th October 2015

  South Korea’s digital Tactical Information Communication Network (TICN) for the brigade-and-below level is beginning to come together. Commencing in 2010 under the auspices of the …

• Defence Helicopter

  ADEX 2015: South Korea’s AW159 on the way

  26th October 2015

  Site acceptance tests for South Korea’s new AgustaWestland AW159 helicopters are imminent in the UK, and the first four rotorcraft will be handed over by …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ADEX 2015: Korean Air showcases unmanned MD 500

  22nd October 2015

  The Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) continues to develop a fully unmanned MD 500 helicopter for a Korean Army requirement, it has emerged. The company …

• Land Warfare

  ADEX 2015: Chunmoo MLRS in Korean service

  23rd October 2015

  Featuring at the Seoul ADEX show is an in-service example of the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). Shephard understands the Republic of Korea Army …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ADEX 2015: Korean KUS-FT enters service in 2016

  20th October 2015

  The aerospace business division of Korean Air has showcased a complete KUS-FT tactical UAV system, which is expected to enter service with the Korean Army …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  IF-X/ KF-X Development - Indonesia

  In May 2018, Indonesia renegotiated the terms of the contract, with no details disclosed. At ADEX 2019, the full-scale mockup and cockpit design were unveiled. ...

• Fighter - multirole

  KF-X Development - South Korea

  In May 2018, Indonesia renegotiated the terms of the contract, with no details disclosed. At ADEX 2019, KF-X full-scale mockup and cockpit design were unveiled. ...

• ISR/special mission

  Baekdu-II (South Korea)

  Programme Background This ISR aircraft programme, which first appeared on the 2020-24 Mid-Term Defense Acquisition Plan, comprises four Baekdu-II aircraft. These will add to two ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  KF-21 Loyal Wingman [South Korea]

  Programme Background KF-21 Boramae Crewed Fighter The Republic of Korea’s Air Force (ROKAF) plans to acquire the KF-21 Boramae fighter, replacing F-4E Phantom II and F-5E/F fighters in the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JF-17 [Azerbaijan]

  Programme Background Requirement In October 2019, Turkish media sources reported that at least two Azeri pilots travelled to Pakistan to receive training in JF-17 aircraft. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Akinci [Azerbaijan]

  Programme Background Two Export Contracts In January 2022, the Daily Sabah reported that Baykar had "recently" signed its first export contract for the Akinci. Haluk Bayraktar said ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  Programme Background The requirement was initially reported in 2016 when it was noted as being part of a long-term development plan, however, reports from ADEX ...

• Fighter - multirole

  IF-X/KF-X procurement (Indonesia)

  Programme Background At ADEX 2019, KF-X full-scale mockup and cockpit design were unveiled. The first prototype of the KF-21 fighter aircraft was rolled out in April ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  VTOL UAV (ROKA)

  Programme Background All branches of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces are placing a large emphasis on the procurement of unmanned systems to improve ISR ...

• ISR/special mission

  ISTAR Aircraft (South Korea)

  Programme Background South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated that Seoul is planning to procure additional aircraft to minimize potential surveillance gaps amid growing security ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV II

  Programme Background The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) operates one Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship and has launched another to support provide operational lift for the ROKMC. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  RQ-4 Global Hawk (South Korea)

  Programme Background Requirments Seoul required UAS assets to help monitor its neighbour to the north and, increasingly, Chinese activities in waters and in the air near ...

• Fighter - multirole

  KF-21 procurement [South Korea]

  Programme Background At ADEX 2019, KF-X full-scale mockup and cockpit design were unveiled. The first prototype of the KF-21 fighter aircraft was rolled out in April ...

• Tanks

  Leopard 2A8 (Norway)

  Programme Background Norway is in possession of 57 Leopard 2A4NO MBTs, but only around 30 of these are still thought to be operational with units. ...

• Tanks

  Leopard 2A8 (Norway - Option)

  Programme Background Norway is in possession of 57 Leopard 2A4NO MBTs, but only around 30 of these are still thought to be operational with units. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  NCUAV

  Next Corps UAV (NCUAV) is a MALE multirole surveillance UAS being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and destined for the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA).  The ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol, Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Advanced Air Vehicle (AAV)

  The Advanced Air Vehicle (AAV) is a multi-purpose development aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The aircraft can carry four passengers and a pilot, although future ...

• Loitering munitions

  KUS-SX

  Developed by the Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), the KUS-SX is both a loitering munition and an ISR UAV. Development commenced in early 2023, and the drone ...

• Loitering munitions

  Kargi (Improved)

  At ADEX 2022, Lentatek unveiled a new, as-yet-unnamed version of the Kargi loitering munition.  Instead of Kargi's radio frequency (RF) seeker, this new version features an under-nose EO/IR ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  MUM-T

  The Military Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) is a UAS in development by Korean Aerospace Industries. Showcased at Seoul ADEX 2021, the MUM-T can be launched from the ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Multi-Purpose Unmanned Helicopter (MPUH)

  The Multi-Purpose Unmanned Helicopter (MPUH) is a rotary-wing UAS manufactured by Sungwoo Engineering, with Lig Nex1 and Korean Air acting as subcontractors on the project. It is intended ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  Alan-2

  Developed by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering, the Alan-2 is an armoured 4x4 tactical vehicle. It was demonstrated for the first time during the ADEX 2022 exhibition ...

• Loitering munitions

  Canister-Launcher UAV

  Foosung Firstec is developing a canister-launched loitering munition, which the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) has tested. It will have a 0.5kg warhead and be ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  KUS-VT tiltrotor

  The KUS-VT is a tiltrotor UAV that first flew in October 2013 and was exhibited at ADEX 2013. The aircraft is designed to have a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Night Intruder 500 Vectored Thurst (NI-500VT)

  Manufactured by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), the Night Intruder 500 Vectored Thurst (NI-500VT) is an in-development tiltrotor UAV.  KAI debuted the platform in a promotional video during ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  KUS-FC

  The KUS-FC, also known as the Kaori-X, is a stealthy UCAV in joint development by the Agency for Defense Development and the Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD).  ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  AD-G4

  The AD-G4 is a rotary-wing UAV developed by Deftech. It features an IR camera with 10x optical zoom and 680x480 resolution and can host offensive ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  KUS-FT

  Development of the Korean Air Aerospace Division KUS-FT fixed-wing UAV began in 2010 and was completed in November 2014. It entered service with the Republic ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  KUS-LW

  The KUS-LW is a developmental MALE loyal wingman UAV. The Agency for Defence Development (AAD) began developing the KUS-LW in November 2021 before selecting the Korean ...

• Loitering munitions

  F-5000 E

  The F-5000 E is an in-development loitering munition from Deftech. Its power plant is an electric brushless motor. It can host different warheads, including a 5kg ...