[Defense Column] Eurosatory Showcases Unmanned and Digital Technologies

From the 13th to the 17th of last month, Eurosatory, the world's largest international land weapon systems defense exhibition, was successfully held at the Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center in Paris, France. First started in 1967 and held biennially, the 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19, making this the first exhibition in four years. Over 1,800 defense companies from 63 countries worldwide participated, with more than 50,000 visitors attending. South Korea also participated with the Ministry of National Defense, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Defense Technology Quality Institute, Defense Industry Promotion Association, and domestic defense companies, each presenting their best products and solutions while engaging in various marketing activities and discussing cooperation plans to enter overseas markets. It was a very valuable and proud time to once again confirm the current status of our defense industry, which is creating diverse opportunities for overseas exports based on the proven weapon systems operated by our military.

One of the most notable features of this Eurosatory was that it took place amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. During the exhibition, it was evident that NATO and the European Union (EU), along with European countries, were rapidly responding to defense and security challenges and strengthening their defense strategies. European countries are actively accelerating defense budget increases to ensure their national security, and simultaneously, the EU has been directly supporting Ukraine with over 2 billion euros (approximately 2.5 trillion KRW) through the European Peace Facility (EPF) since the outbreak of the war. Additionally, in 2022, the European Defense Fund (EDF) secured a budget of 900 million euros (about 1.2 trillion KRW), and plans a budget of 8 billion euros (approximately 10 trillion KRW) for research and development through 2027. Within this context, European defense companies are leveraging these developments as new business opportunities and strengthening their strategic responses. Given the prolonged nature of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, this Eurosatory served as an opportunity for defense companies to efficiently promote their domestic technologies and weapon systems and to formulate strategies for new growth.

Another point of emphasis was the advancement of digital and unmanned technologies integrated into weapon systems for future battlefields, focusing on mutual integration and efficient interoperability. As demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine war, military use of drones has enabled the introduction and transformation of various tactics, and drone countermeasure technologies were prominently showcased. From control, response, and sensor operation to airspace defense, comprehensive integrated solutions were presented, enabling new integration with other weapon systems. New weapon systems were developed not only for specific systems or platforms but also designed from the early stages to be commonly applicable and compatible across various platforms. Furthermore, various tank solutions incorporating digital integration, active defense systems, and unmanned operation with organic coupling were exhibited, highlighting the importance of integrated operation while maximizing the traditional advantages of tanks.

Lastly, the exhibition highlighted the elevated status and proven weapon systems of the domestic defense industry, which are competing with significant weight in overseas markets. During interviews with related personnel from Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the author sensed stable trust in Korea’s weapon system growth and successful overseas export achievements. However, some European perspectives expressed skepticism, suggesting that Korea’s defense industry strengthening is primarily based on cooperation with the United States and may lead only to increased Foreign Military Sales (FMS), potentially reducing cooperation with Europe. There were also realistic concerns that Korea’s technological advancements might decrease the scope and possibilities of international cooperation compared to the past.

Returning to France after four years, there were no significant changes, but it reminded me of a charming, well-off, and academically excellent friend from my school days. Occasionally, I still feel a twinge of envy for that friend, and I reflected on this as a metaphor for the current state of our defense industry. While we cannot immediately overcome the innate environmental conditions and disparities that friend had, I hope that by designing our own strategies and competitiveness, our defense industry will become like that admired friend for the next generation.

Jun-Gon Lee, Adjunct Professor, Department of Defense Acquisition, Graduate School of Industry, Konkuk University

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