S Korean Military to Harness Big Data, 3D Printing

South Korea’s defense ministry announced Wednesday its plans to invest in big data and 3D printing technologies as part of the Defense Reform 2.0 initiative to help strengthen military logistics security.

"So as to expand logistical support capabilities and efficiency, the defense ministry plans to preemptively adopt technologies related to the fourth industrial revolution," Yonhap reports quoting a press statement made by the ministry, referring to create a smaller yet smarter military capable of handling traditional and nontraditional security threats from inside and outside the peninsula. 

The ministry announced its plans to establish an integrated military logistics information system by the latter half of 2019 to replace the current fragmented structure. It believes the new system will help make more efficient predictions as to the future demand for military supplies.

The ministry also seeks to utilize 3D printing to produce component parts of the old military equipment whose production lines have been closed or are difficult to maintain due to high costs and other reasons.

In addition, the ministry is seeking to introduce drones capable of effectively transporting food, medicine, ammunitions and other emergency supplies to remote areas during both wartime and peacetime.

As an initial step, the ministry, in cooperation with the industry ministry and drone manufacturers, plans to start introducing 10 drone prototypes, which can meet military requirements, in the latter half of this year. Then, it will test the drones by 2023 and plan to expand their deployment to the Army's general outposts and other remote military units from 2024.

The ministry also plans to introduce the "warrior platform," high-tech battle gear including advanced bulletproof helmets and sniper rifles, as part of efforts to maintain combat capabilities amid the prospect of a troop reduction.