SM Vexel's Investment in 'Lithium Ampoule Battery' to Support Defense Industry in Gumi Rear Area

Gumi City in Gyeongbuk has been reborn as a key city for K-defense, following its designation as a Defense Innovation Cluster in May and continuous investment by defense companies.

Gumi City Hall.

SM Vexel, a tenant company in Gumi National Industrial Complex 1 (CEO Choi Se-hwan), held a ceremony on the 14th at its Gumi factory to launch the production line for defense-use lithium ampoule batteries, attended by Mayor Kim Jang-ho and City Council Chairman Ahn Joo-chan, actively stepping up support for the defense sector.

SM Vexel, the only domestic battery manufacturer, completed the development of lithium ampoule batteries after about three years of research and development. In March of this year, the company decided on a large-scale facility investment and recently completed the investment, starting mass production.

The "lithium ampoule battery" is a battery used for long periods without replacement, providing high-capacity power even in extreme environments, and is gaining attention in the defense industry.

The lithium ampoule batteries to be mass-produced through this investment will be installed in the power assembly for the electronic self-destruct fuse of the 230mm unguided missile and are expected to be supplied as a key component of K-defense weapon systems in the future. SM Vexel is also reportedly promoting the development of lithium thionyl batteries using the technology and facilities secured through lithium ampoule batteries.

Since being designated as a Defense Innovation Cluster in May, Gumi City has recently been playing a role as a leading domestic production hub driving the K-defense boom.

Centered around Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1, increased exports to the Middle East and other regions are contributing to revitalizing the local economy, and related partner companies are continuing to invest locally, raising expectations that Gumi will become a leading defense city.

Mayor Kim Jang-ho said, “SM Vexel has grown as a representative local company with the interest of Gumi citizens. Gumi is becoming a representative city for K-defense through the Defense Innovation Cluster, and we hope that SM Vexel, a local company, will actively support anchor companies such as Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 in the defense industry’s supply chain, creating opportunities for mutual growth among companies in the Gumi area.”