Samsung Moves Into Military Command-Control Modernization

Samsung SDS (018260) has studied technology concepts for South Korea's next-generation military command and control system under a commission from the Agency for Defense Development, proposing a collaboration model between Samsung Electronics (005930) and Samsung SDS, according to findings confirmed by this newspaper. The move is seen as an early blueprint for pursuing defense business, with the group fleshing out technology cooperation plans among its affiliates.

Samsung SDS recently completed a study titled "Research on Battlefield Data Integration and Intelligence Measures for Building the Korea Command and Control System 2.0" and submitted the results to the Agency for Defense Development, according to information technology industry sources on the 18th. KCCS refers to a next-generation command and control system that integrates the communications networks and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems currently operated separately by each branch of the military. The Army, Navy and Air Force now use different networks and C4I systems, and the project would unify them. Officials inside and outside the military estimate the project could be worth around 300 billion won. The expected benefits of building KCCS include allowing each service to share battlefield information and make decisions on a single system, enabling real-time coordination.

Through the research project, Samsung SDS explored a collaboration model with Samsung Electronics in linking fifth-generation mobile networks and developing tactical terminals. The research report was also shared with the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, sources said.

"Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDS are cooperating on various pilot projects for the military," an official at Samsung SDS said, adding, "We cannot disclose the details of that collaboration."