Daejeon targets domestic KF-21 and K9 components in defense hub expansion – Korea JoongAng Daily

Daejeon targets domestic KF-21 and K9 components in defense hub expansion  Korea JoongAng Daily

Daejeon is expanding its defense industry hub to localize key KF-21 fighter jet and K9 howitzer components, backed by government funding and investment from Hanwha Aerospace and LIG. The city will build a defense industry complex to develop domestically made components for the KF-21 fighter jet and K9 howitzer by 2030. DAEJEON — Daejeon is pushing to localize key components for Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet and K9 self-propelled howitzer as it expands its role as a defense industry hub. The effort will focus on components including high-power radio frequency (RF) transceiver modules for air defense guided weapons and electro-optical detection equipment for missiles and aircraft. The push comes as Daejeon was selected as one of the areas that will host specialized materials, parts and equipment industrial complexes by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the city said Monday.

Daejeon was selected to host a defense industry complex, South Gyeongsang for shipbuilding and North Jeolla and South Chungcheong for semiconductors. The specialized defense industry complex in Daejeon will span a combined 8.03 million square meters (1,980 acres). The area covers the Jukdong industrial complex, Daedeok Techno Valley, Ansan Advanced National Defense Industry Cluster and the area around Hanwha Aerospace in Yuseong District, as well as the Daejeon Defense Industry Innovation Cluster in Daedeok District. “The government chose Daejeon for the