In an effort to modernize South Korea’s armed forces, military gear for soldiers will become lighter and more high-tech by 2025.
South Korean Army said on Aug. 30 that the changes will be implemented in stages in order to enhance combat efficiency of field units and task performance of soldiers.
The Army said that most of current gear materials have become substandardized in fitness and modularization since they have been developed and used since 1970s. Also their heavy weight have caused weak performance on mobility and swiftness of soldiers, the Army said.
“The changes will be carried out in three steps based on applicable technology and budget,” the Army said. “We are going to study on skills of each soldier and level of operational performance by focusing on strengthening combat efficiency, lightening gear and improving mobility.”
The first upgrade will be completed by 2015 by replacing the current gear for all soldiers.
Ten kilograms (22 pounds) from the gear soldiers are currently required to carry will be eliminated, bringing the total weight down to 38.6 kilograms. Old and heavy combat gear will be replaced with gear made from new materials.
The roughly 40 pieces of equipment subject to replacement will include tents, sleeping bags, shovels and ponchos that soldiers are required to carry in their full kits.
A new kit worn during attacks, field maneuvers and training exercises is also under development, which includes a combat vest and combat rations. The kit can be detached from the full gear to help soldiers be quick on their feet.
In the second step, soldiers’ loads will be equipped with the latest technology. Equipment will be upgraded to make it “smarter” by 2020. For instance, a helmet will be distributed to all soldiers that will enable them to see clearly in daylight and at night and allow real-time communication with commanding officers. When they wear the helmet, military command will be able to determine the soldiers’ locations.
Military combat uniforms will also eventually include bulletproof material and monitor soldiers’ vital signs. The uniforms will also effectively wick away sweat as they will have humidity-detecting sensors included.
Each soldier will “become a weapon system on his own” by 2025 - the third step of the upgrade - an Army official said.
The Army official said the military have formed and are running a concept team with officials from the Army, the Agency for Defense Development and the Korea Institute for National Analyses from June.
“The military expects improvement of troops’ combat performance as we upgrade forces in stages,” said Col. Lee Ho-gon, a senior officer managing war supplies and planning at the Army headquarters in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong.