Military Technology 06/2021

result, ISTAR is expected to be based on medium or business jet aircraft, like the British ASTOR system,” Kim stated. An Unmanned, Leaner Paradigm In terms of unmanned assets, the MTDP funds platforms for all three services. As well as GLOBAL HAWK, RoKAF’s KUS-FS MALE UAS pro- gramme, underway since the early 2010s, is still far from ready. Local media reports indicate one of the two prototypes crash-landed and the other has wing-icing problems. The Army’s (RoKA) Drone-bot programme will introduce UGVs and UAS over the next decade, for roles including battlefield surveillance, removing UXPs, transport and fire support. “These effects will enable Korea to employ military power more flexibly during peacetime and in armed conflict. Especially as the number of Korean armed forces’ personnel will decrease in the foreseeable future, due to low birth rate, utilizing unmanned systems will also present alter- natives for Korea to offset this reduction in troops numbers,” Kim ob- served. The RoKA will reduce from 555,000 to 500,000 troops within the next two years – a rapid reduction, that will be offset by restructuring to focus on brigade-sized, rather than divisional, deployments; an increase in firepower and mobility; and faster mobilisation of a 2.7 million-strong reserve force. For mobility, the MTDP plans to introduce the K808 8x8 APC to front- line units and the K806 6x6 APC to the reserves, as well as medium tacti- cal trucks. In terms of firepower, the K9 self-propelled gun will be upgrad- ed to K9A2 standard from the end of 2020, including an automatic loader that Kim states will increase firing rate from six to nine rpm reduce crew from five to three. The Army’s K239 CHUNMOO 230mm MLRS will also proceed under MTDP. In space, the MTDP plans several programmes to improve surveillance and communications capabilities, including: Project 425 – a constellation of five reconnaissance satellites; a micro-satellite capability to meet a fast swarm surveillance requirement by the late2020s; developing indigenous low-earth orbit satellite launch capability (possibly for anti-satellite mis- sions); increasing land-based space tracking capability; and initiating a Korean GPS, the Korean Positioning System (KPS) by the mid-2030s. “These programs will be very helpful in supporting Korea’s long-range precision strike and missile defense capabilities, but Korea’s military space program in MTDP seeks more than that,” Kim explains. “First, it aims to achieve autonomy in military intelligence-gathering capabilities, which has traditionally depended on US, accelerating efforts for transition of wartime OPCON authority. And second, it is to overcome risk from a potential military challenge from neighbouring major powers like China and Japan, which have already been building formidable space military capabilities.” In the sub-surface domain, the MTDP has confirmed a second batch of three KSS-III Batch II DOSAN AH CHANG HO-class SSKs, to be followed by a Batch III. Kim said the propulsion system for Batch III has yet to be decided – there have been calls to introduce nuclear propulsion, which Kim believes would imply diplomatic considerations: trying to secure nu- clear fuel under nuclear non-proliferation treaties “will cast uncertainty” on this proposal. For the ROK Marines, the MTDP has called for a new attack helicop- ter programme. As well as new amphibious armoured assault vehicles (KAAV-II) and landing craft. The former will likely be a US aircraft such as the AH-1 VIPER or AH-64 APACHE, or a locally-development platform based on the KUH-1 SURION. “There has been speculation in local media that the indigenous model is preferred, although it has been criticized for having an inferior arming capacity and protection to foreign models, how- ever it will be more affordable for the Marine Corps,” Kim stated. Better Air Power Capabilities The KF-X fighter programme is still underway as the major part of the RoKAF’s build up. The first locally-developed prototype of the new AESA radar for KF-X was officially rolled out in August, and the first prototype aircraft is being assembled with an unveiling expected in 2021. KF-X is expected to replace the F-4 and F-5 fighters from 2026, but the RoKAF will likely retain its F-15K and KF-16 fighters, with the inclusion of an AESA radar upgrade to establish the aircraft as a 4.5-generation platform. The MTDP also includes plans for unspecified large transport aircraft. The RoKAF is also to replace its existing missile inventory with indige- nously-built, longer-range ASMs and anti-ship missiles for KF-X. Korea is still dependent on imports for such systems, but the MTDP calls for local production of systems based on the Taurus KEPD 350 ALCM and the RoKN’s HAESONG ASM respectively, as well as an AAM. Meanwhile, the ROKAFs reconnaissance group is being expanded into a wing. This is because Korea will soon introduce four RQ-4 GLOBAL HAWK UAS for more consistent monitoring of the de-militarised zone (DMZ) and other frontline areas. Furthermore, locally-developed MALE reconnaissance aircraft, procurement of two more AEW aircraft by 2027, and new ISTAR assets, will expand the RoKAF inventory, justifying the expansion. “The ISTAR program is for enhancing early-warning capabilities against time-sensitive land-based mobile targets – like Pyongyang’s ballistic mis- sile launchers. Previously, Korea showed interest in the US E-8 J-STARS, which was dismissed due to cost concerns and technical problems. As a 68 · MT 6/2021 Analysis A massive investment and industrial development programme, the KF-X programme is significantly elevating the nation’s indigenous abilities, albeit with considerable foreign input. (Photo: Korea Aerospace Industries) The Hyundai K808 8x8 combat vehicle – seen here in its APC role – brings more modern mobility capability to the RoKA’s mechanised formations. (Photo: RoK MoD) f h The RoKN will double the number of SEJONG the GREAT AEGIS destroyers in the fleet, providing very significant increases in capability, including suitability for a BMD role. (Photo: US DoD/DVIDS)