Apply National Strategic Technology to the Defense Sector

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The government is applying national strategic technologies based on Data, Network, and Artificial Intelligence (D·N·A) to the defense sector.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of National Defense announced the 'D·N·A-based Smart Defense Strategy' together with the Ministry of Science and ICT at the 27th plenary meeting of the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee under the President.

President Moon Jae-in had previously ordered the strengthening of defense capabilities using advanced technologies such as AI during a major military commanders' briefing last year. Last year, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of National Defense signed a ministerial-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the Digital New Deal and realize smart defense, and held about 20 working-level discussions with the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), and private experts.

The two ministries are conducting a D·N·A-based defense digital innovation technology development project for defense ICT research and development, investing a total budget of 36.9 billion KRW from this year through 2025. Through research and development, they plan to create service models that can apply D·N·A technologies to the military and promote their dissemination. They aim to improve the efficiency of overall defense systems such as operations and logistics by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), 5th generation (5G) mobile communications, and quantum technologies.

They will develop a solution that collects and analyzes maintenance history of weapons, equipment, and facilities, as well as failure frequency and remaining life data for each component based on AI. This will enable efficient prediction and management of maintenance timing and parts supply. Additionally, by applying AI-based video recognition technology, they will build and expand an intelligent unmanned CCTV surveillance system that detects intruders and abnormal signs early.

Furthermore, elite soldiers responsible for smart defense will also be trained. AI specialized education will be provided to officers in charge of computer information systems in cooperation with civilian AI graduate schools. Related systems will also be improved, such as revising the Defense Informatization Work Directive, to ensure that validated demonstration results can be disseminated early.

Minister of National Defense Seo Wook said, “We will continue to promote smart defense innovation through close cooperation with the Ministry of Science and ICT not only in digital technology but also in digital infrastructure and AI·software experts.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.