[Population Decline Hits Industry] Shrinking Military Forces... Defense Industry Bears Heavy Burden in Advanced Weapon Development

By the End of Last Year, South Korean Military Personnel Fell Below 500,000
Developing Future Weapon Systems Including Unmanned and Remote Technologies

Due to population decline caused by low birth rates, the size of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces has fallen below 500,000 personnel. Responding to the future reduction in available manpower is no longer optional but an essential task. Domestic defense industry companies are actively participating in the development of next-generation weapons that can perform missions autonomously through unmanned and remote operation by utilizing advanced technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

According to the report "Defense Policy Directions in the Era of Declining Military Service Resources" published on the 10th by Jo Gwan-ho, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), the authorized strength of the armed forces was 500,000 in 2022, but the actual personnel at the end of that year was only 480,000. The year-end troop strength of the armed forces had maintained over 600,000 from 2002, when it was recorded at 690,000 (authorized strength 690,000), until 2017, but decreased to 570,000 in 2018. It continued to decline, dropping to 510,000 in 2021, barely maintaining the 500,000 mark. The year 2022 was recorded as the first year when the troop size fell below 500,000.

The once symbolic "600,000-strong army" has sharply decreased to 120,000. This means it will be even more difficult to maintain a standing force of 500,000 in the future.

However, given the nature of a divided nation, national security remains a critical issue. In a situation where the number of soldiers is decreasing, the only way to enhance defense capabilities is through the advancement of military equipment. Making cutting-edge equipment capable of compensating for part of the manpower has become the top priority.

The defense industry is bustling. Companies are aggressively investing and developing technologies in preparation for future unmanned warfare, including guided rockets, unmanned helicopters, and attack drones.

Hanwha Aerospace and Hyundai Rotem are developing multipurpose unmanned vehicles called "Arion-Smet" and "HR-Sherpa." Multipurpose unmanned vehicles can carry various equipment in dangerous areas and perform missions such as reconnaissance, scouting, transport, and fire support, making them key equipment for future warfare. Both the HR-Sherpa and Arion-Smet are equipped with unmanned driving capabilities such as remote driving, dependent driving, and autonomous driving based on a 6-wheel electric drive system.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is building a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system based on the Korean fighter KF-21. This concept involves manned and unmanned aircraft operating in formation, with unmanned aircraft attacking and bombing dangerous areas to minimize human casualties.

LIG Nex1 is preparing the MPD, a small reconnaissance and strike combined drone capable of self-destruction attacks, and the multipurpose unmanned helicopter (MPUH). The MPD, which has been delivered to the Army with six units to verify its performance, is equipped with a 1 kg warhead, optical and infrared cameras, and radar to identify targets and conduct self-destructive attacks. The MPUH can stay airborne for up to six hours and can be used not only as a wartime surveillance and reconnaissance asset but also for wildfire monitoring and search operations.