전장의 판도를 바꾸는 K-방산의 두 얼굴: 기술 혁신과 시장의 명암 > K-wave Trends

Domestic defense companies, led by Hyundai Rotem, are accelerating the development of next-generation ground unmanned systems and are leading the future battlefield environment called ‘Manned-Unmanned Complex System (MUM-T)’. In particular, the tracked unmanned robot, which works in conjunction with the K2 tank to defend against enemy attacks and eliminate drone threats, is evaluated as a core force that will change the paradigm of modern warfare. As proven in the Russian-Ukrainian war, in a situation where cheap self-destructing drones disable expensive tanks, the emergence of unmanned escort robots will be a decisive solution to maximize the survivability of tanks. By combining the already accumulated track technology of the K2 tank with the software capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai Rotem is building a comprehensive lineup of ground unmanned platforms ranging from small to medium-sized with the goal of electrification in 2030. This heralds the company's evolution beyond simple weapons manufacturing into a future ground warfare platform company that minimizes casualties and maximizes operational efficiency.

Behind the splendor of technological innovation, financial crimes that exploit the name value of defense-related companies are eroding market trust. The recent RF Semi case is a typical case of a strategic company that carried out capital-free mergers and acquisitions (M&A) under the promising keyword of rechargeable batteries, caused the stock price to skyrocket by 900% through false disclosure, and then drove it to be delisted. The fact that a high-ranking economic official, former Assistant Minister of Strategy and Finance, was involved in the crime shocked the market, and 15,000 minority shareholders suffered enormous economic damage. They completely destroyed the market order by manipulating favorable news from China and misappropriating tens of billions of corporate funds. The prosecution's severe punishment will be a milestone that demonstrates the government's strong will to pursue and hold accountable crimes that undermine market trust, regardless of status.

The true competitiveness of our defense industry comes from technological independence and the domestic supply chain ecosystem that supports it. The decisive reason why the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer have an advantage over competing models from Germany or the United States in the global market is their high localization rate of parts, which is close to 90%. Thanks to freedom from technological dependence and the establishment of an independent supply chain, rapid production and delivery became possible, which was the most attractive factor for importing countries facing urgent security situations. On the other hand, when core technologies such as fighter jet engines are dependent on overseas sources, approval from the country that possesses the source technology is required for each export, which limits autonomous business operations. The case of China struggling to become self-reliant in aircraft engine technology despite pouring tens of trillions of won paradoxically proves how difficult it is to build an independent industrial ecosystem encompassing everything from materials to finished products in order to become a defense industry powerhouse.

The defense industry is a core axis of national security and a high value-added industry that will drive the future economy, but its growth is sustainable only on transparent corporate management and honest market order. The high-intensity training of the 21st Division Tank Battalion proves the practical firepower of the K1E1 tank, and the process by which Hyundai Rotem proves its delivery capabilities by concluding large-scale contracts in overseas markets such as Poland shows the bright future of our defense industry. However, when these achievements are turned into a means of manipulating stock prices by some unscrupulous forces, the people bear the brunt of the damage. In an international situation where geopolitical risks such as a conflict in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the United States exist, our defense industry must secure true ‘Core Power’ not only through technological superiority but also through ethical management that meets global standards.