KAI press release
- Cooperation on developing education, training and combat management system for the ‘Navy Sea GHOST’
- Enhancing competitiveness through the commercialization of training system packages and joint marketing, both domestically and internationally
The three major companies representing the South Korean defense industry (K-Defense) have joined forces to enhance cooperation in the areas of education, training and combat management systems for naval vessels.
On October 18, during Seoul ADEX 2023, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and LIG Nex1 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding mutual cooperation in the area of education, training and combat management systems for the development of future and export warships.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) President Kang Gu-young, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Vice Chairman Han Young-seuk, and LIG Nex1 President Kim Ji-chan and other major executives attended the signing ceremony.
Through this agreement, the three companies will expand exchanges in the fields related to future and export warship development, including projects in the field of surface ships, submarines education and training systems, ROK Navy’s MUM-T (Mannned-Unmanned Teaming) program known as Navy Sea GHOST, and secure strategic partnerships. They plan to discuss solutions for establishing education, training and combat systems for future warships, performance improvement of existing warships and Navy Sea GHOST project. Moreover, they will push forward joint marketing both domestically and internationally with commercialized education and training system packages that will enhance competitiveness of Korean warships in the global market.
The strategic collaboration among the three companies specializing in aviation/simulation, shipbuilding, and weapon systems is expected to not only enhance the export competitiveness of Korean Warships but also create diverse business opportunities in the domestic and international markets for education and training systems centered around technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Based on domestic aircraft training system development technology, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) expanded its business areas to both sea and land, developing the ROK Navy’s Jang Bogo-III (KSS-III) control training equipment system in 2018, and the Landing Ship Fast (LSF-II) simulator system development in 2021.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has constructed the ROK Navy’s 3,000-ton KSS-III Batch-I submarine ‘Shin Chae-ho’ the 8,200-ton KDX-III Batch-II Aegis destroyer ‘Jeongjo the Great’, and 3,600-ton multi-purpose frigate ‘Chungnam’. In 2022, they also secured a contract with the Philippines for six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), increasing their presence in both domestic and international markets.
LIG Nex1 has actively involved in the development of various maritime weapon systems, completing the development of the unmanned surface vessel series Haegum (Sea Sword-I, II, III, V) since 2015, which is capable of being loaded and deployed from vessels as well as conduct surface and underwater reconnaissance.
Korea Aerospace Industries’ President Kang Gu-young stated “Through the cooperation between the leading companies in each field, the competitiveness in securing future Korean Warship orders will be further strengthened.” He added, “Using KAI’s expertise in developing future-oriented simulators proven in aviation, we aim to expand the warship simulator sector as a new business opportunity.”
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Vice Chairman, Han Young-seuk, conveyed, “Through the cooperation of the three companies, we expect to contribute to the enhancement of our navy’s capabilities and achieve tangible results in warship exports.”
LIG Nex1’s CEO, Kim Ji-chan, remarked, “The collaboration among the three companies will elevate the stature of South Korea’s defense industry not only domestically but also internationally.” He added, “With LIG’s advanced weapon system development capabilities, we will actively participate in the development of premium Korean warships.”
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Naval News comments: About ROK’s ‘Navy Sea GHOST’
South Korea’s Navy Sea GHOST (Guardian Harmonized with Operating manned Systems and Technology based unmanned systems) is a concept where manned forces such as surface ships and submarines join forces with unmanned systems including Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), autonomous robots and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), to engage in combat.
Ever since the Navy Sea GHOST concept was introduced at the ceremony for the 77th anniversary of the ROK Navy’s founding, defense companies have unveiled their unmanned systems designed for Manned and Unmanned Teaming. Some of the notable ones were LIG Nex1’s Haegum (Sea Sword) USV series mentioned above, anti-submarine warfare unmanned underwater vehicle (ASWUUV) being developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Hanwha. The ROK Navy’s GHOST approach necessitates several technologies, including autonomous technology and data-link technology integrated with both manned and unmanned systems. Therefore, ROK Navy has been hosting symposium for the development of Navy Sea GHOST to integrate the technical goals sought by the ROK Navy with the research and development trends of industry, academia, and research institutions.
