[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop emphasized, "Defense budget should prioritize investment in the Korean-style 3-axis system, the establishment of manned-unmanned combined combat systems, and focus efforts on core tasks."
At the 2nd meeting of the 'Defense Innovation 4.0' Promotion Team held on the 10th, Minister Lee stated, "It will be difficult to overcome challenges without a bold structural reform of our defense," adding, "Through Defense Innovation 4.0, we must cultivate a science and technology-strong military optimized for the security environment."
The 'Korean-style 3-axis system' is a force enhancement plan composed of △ the 'Kill Chain' that detects, pursues, and strikes North Korea's missile attack signs △ the 'Korean Missile Defense System' (KAMD) necessary to defend against North Korean attacks △ and the 'Massive Punishment and Retaliation' (KMPR) to punish North Korea.
The Kill Chain specifically refers to the concept of preemptively striking the origin of provocation as an act of self-defense when signs of North Korean attack are confirmed, while Massive Punishment and Retaliation means annihilating not only the origin of provocation but also the command headquarters using advanced guided weapons.
The Kill Chain project includes the '425 Project,' which aims to secure five reconnaissance satellites equipped with video radar, electro-optical, and infrared radar by next year, as well as tactical surface-to-surface guided missiles. KAMD consists of ballistic missile early warning radar-II, L-SAM, and long-range artillery interception systems, while KMPR promotes 230mm-class multiple rocket launchers, large-scale maneuver helicopters-II, and C-130H performance upgrades.
At the meeting, the goals, concepts, and detailed tasks of 16 projects across five areas?redesign of defense research and development and force enhancement systems, expansion of defense science and technology base, development of new military strategy and operational concepts, optimization of military structure and defense operations, and securing core advanced forces?were concretized to be included in the basic plan. Based on the meeting results, the Ministry of National Defense plans to establish detailed annual implementation plans and calculate required resources and legislative needs.
The Ministry of National Defense plans to operate pilot units in each military branch to gradually establish manned-unmanned combined systems linked with AI development.
The Army's Amitaiger Brigade, with the 70th Regiment of the 25th Division as the pilot unit, will integrate control vehicles, unmanned combat vehicles, attack helicopters, and drones to verify attack power and survivability. The Navy will use the 5th Flotilla as a pilot unit to examine the capability to conduct manned-unmanned combined mine clearance operations by integrating minehunters and autonomous mine detection systems. The Air Force will use the 20th Fighter Wing as a pilot unit to confirm the feasibility of operating manned-unmanned formation flights by integrating fighter jets and low-observable unmanned squadrons. The Marine Corps will use the 1st Division as a pilot unit to verify amphibious operation capabilities by integrating amphibious assault armored vehicles and obstacle-clearing robots.
The military authorities plan to identify and raise force requirements for unmanned systems and infrastructure through the operation of pilot units in each branch, design unit structures suitable for manned-unmanned combined combat operations, and verify them through combat experiments.
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