Part III of the Special Series for Global Power and Leadership: a collaboration between WGI.WORLD (World Geostrategic Insights) and CGPS (Center for Global Peace and Security).
By Sunny Lee – Founder and President at CGPS (Center for Global Peace and Security), and Director at IKUPD (Institute for Korea-U.S. Political Development), Washington DC
On June 27, 2024, international society was surprised when defense officials from the United States and Korea announced that the two countries have made themselves available for potential weapons through co-R&D, co-production and co-support, from artillery systems to robots. Robots, drones and warships in particular are the most promising weapons for which Korea has explored its superiority with highly skilled technology. Such a military enterprise, through bilateral military co-production agreements, means that the G2 military powers rely on mutual achievement not only in military industry but also in military leadership for the next generation.
Korea has four priorities in the defense industry: price competitiveness with excellent quality, fast delivery everywhere, domestic production with its own technology and design to work with American equipment. In particular, the K-2, K-9, FA-50 and Chunmoo multiple-launch rocket systems have proven to be the world’s most valued weapons in terms of quality and performance. In addition, the upcoming mass production of the KF-21, a 4.5th generation fighter jet comparable to the 5th generation, will dominate international arms markets in no time.
Korea’s global arms export in 2024 is projected to become one of the big 4 after the United States (41.7%), surpassing France (10.9%), Russia (10.5%) and China (5.8%) from 2019 to 2023. Korea increased by 74 percent during this period, ranking at 8th (2.4 percent). While Russia declined after the war in Ukraine and China also declined in overall quality, Korea maintained a prominent position. Although direct military sales by U.S. companies increased slightly to $157.5 billion in FY2023 from $153.6 billion in FY2022, Korea’s arms export surprisingly exploded as the leading exporter with unbeatable speed after the Ukraine war. Korea is the country with the greatest potential, which has demonstrated a highly advanced military industry, competing with the Big Four. Therefore, the United States offers Korea military cooperation in various fields.
On July 27, 2022, the world watched in amazement and envy as Korea’s next Aegis destroyer, DDG-955 (Jeongjo the Greater), was launched, to be delivered to the Navy in November 2024. It was built with Korea’s world-class technology, born from the KDX-III Bate-II project, with the world’s first combat capability.
The DDG-955 added a ballistic missile defense system and upgraded anti-submarine warfare systems. Korea ranked fifth with 13 Aegis destroyers after the United States (70), China (50), Japan (36) and Canada (15) and is also among the top five submarine-exporting countries and ready to build nuclear submarines with its own technology.
The U.S. military arms buyer stressed that “weapons co-production with Korea represents a great opportunity for future markets.” The U.S. still leads in basic military techniques based on the high-quality semiconductor industry, but Korea leads in advanced industrial technology with manufacturing infrastructure that accelerates the development of new techniques and new products simultaneously. The cooperation between the United States and Korea will produce a great synergistic effect and lead the world as a G2 Military powers.
The Top Priority of Military Techniques
On Oct. 3, 2023, U.S. Air Force General David Allvin spoke about the fundamental shift in air power that is taking place around the world when an XQ-58A Valkyrie of the U.S. Marine Corps will make its first test flight with a U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon. He pointed out that current military conflicts show how drones, new technologies and low-cost weapons are reshaping battlefields and changing the character of warfare in the reinvention of the Air Force and air power. The proliferation of these new military technologies has exploded in Ukraine and led to the development of new drones and electric warfare systems that continue to appear on battlefields.
Military technology is definitely the central element of military power to strengthen national competitiveness, so much so that most countries focus on the development of new techniques as a highly advanced trend. There are four critical military techniques for the next generation, as conventional weapons no longer guarantee victory in variable combat.
First, artificial intelligence (AI) is the top priority, as autonomous weapons absolutely dominate all other military techniques. The United States has already tested AI-powered swarm drones of tomorrow for low-cost strikes and new tactics involving AI in key roles. They have collected and shared reconnaissance data that has helped the multinational fleet detect, identify and eliminate enemy vessels more quickly.
In particular, the adoption of AI in defense strategy increases the computational advantage for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Autonomous weapon systems can ensure the safety of equipment, reducing the losses of soldiers in danger. For example, “Rebellion” builds mission-focused artificial intelligence products for the defense and security sectors, deterring threats and driving mission success. Its software models are aimed at achieving comprehensive battlespace awareness, performing autonomous missions and ensuring cyber readiness.
Second, Advanced Military Defense Techniques effectively defeat any sudden invasion or emerging threat. This sophisticated defense equipment includes innovations ranging from hypersonic flights and directed energy weapons to the militarization of space. Battlefield electrification techniques, electric propulsion and hydrogen fuels for military aircraft would represent a significant step forward in the defense industry. They facilitate the transition to more sustainable operations as advanced military techniques.
The most critical military technology comes from the remarkable achievements in hypersonic systems that exceed five times the speed of sound. As a prominent feature of the new technology, hypersonic missiles can fly at low altitude and maneuver in the air, impossible to track with current missile defense systems. Russia, China and the United States are in the race to build hypersonic weapon systems, with the goal of attacking and simultaneously defending against attacks. Russia’s nuclear-capable hypersonic aircraft, the Avangard with Mach 27, is in service, while China’s DF-ZF travels at Mach 10. Russia launched the first hypersonic missile in Ukraine on March 18, 2022, but it was shot down on February 7, 2024. In 2025, the U.S. Air Force will make the first flight of the SR-72 “Son of Blackbird,” built as part of the top-secret Mayhem hypersonic project, which develops a Mach 10 attack and ISR aircraft. The SR-72 reaches over 4,000 mph (6,437 km/h) and is the fastest aircraft ever developed.
Third, drones and robots have great potential for military use. In particular, drones are absolutely cheaper than other weapons and can easily destroy many expensive and high-tech weapons on the battlefield. For example, the drones used by the Houthi rebels cost about $2,000 each, compared to the U.S. military weapon that costs $2 million to shoot one down.
Drones are growing for a few basic reasons: first, to provide live video wherever there is no satellite imagery; second, to target specific areas, vehicles and soldiers; and third, to suppress missile and air strikes. Ukraine has accomplished a substantial military feat as drones successfully play an important role on variable battlefields. It has recently created a “drone commander” role to manage the general operations of drone forces.
In addition to the military effectiveness of artificial intelligence, the robotics industry is increasing its potential. In particular, the military robot market is expected to reach $24.2 billion, with a CAGR of nearly 11% by 2025. Military robots are very valuable in combat: they stay awake 24/7, see from every angle and immediately process information as they patrol the territory and take the fatal risks of human casualties. Many countries have already deployed robotic weapon systems, such as man-in-the-loop operated by a human with remote control.
Fourth, it is cyber warfare strategy. Vulnerability to cyberattacks has been a significant concern for military systems because it results in fatal loss of classified information or damage to multiple systems. By 2025, Gartner, a technology research firm, predicts that cyber attackers will use operational technology as a weapon to harm or even kill humans. It analyzes how major powers are increasing military cybersecurity, with growth of more than 233 percent in the past five years.
Offensive cyber warfare capabilities have been developed with fundamental techniques ranging from malware and ransomware to phishing attacks. Defensive strategies have also improved with the inclusion of advanced firewalls and intrusion detection systems. These systems protect sensitive military data and ensure the integrity and security of military operations.
Self Defence Technology
Ukraine reaches its maximum stage to defend itself and finally triggers Russian missile shoot-down with makeshift air defense weapons. Ukraine is now using Hawk air defense systems, made in the United States, successfully shooting down Russia’s Kh-59 cruise missiles and Iranian-made Shahed drones. Although the Hawks have been replaced by low-altitude systems such as the FIM-92 Stinger and Avenger, their comeback demolishes the Russian invasion by demonstrating how Russia’s technology and military capability are overrated. Russia has threatened to carry out a preemptive strike at the U.S.-NATO missile defense facilities if the U.S. builds a missile shield.
As the most advanced countries in military defense technology, the Military Aircraft Fleet Strength includes the top five in the GFP 2024 ranking: the United States (13,209-53.6 percent), Russia (4,255-17.3 percent), China (3,304-13.4 percent), India (2,296-9.3 percent) and Korea (1,459-6.4 percent).
The United States ranks first in the areas of technological competence and innovation, with unbeatable quality and the largest economy in the world. It constantly adopts the latest military technologies to maintain overall superiority, including hypersonic missiles, military internet of things (IMT), unmanned systems, virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR), cyber warfare capabilities, robotics and autonomous systems.
The U.S. defense industry focuses on aircraft, as it is the world’s largest defense financier and exporter. In addition, the United States has the most diverse drone program and operates the largest number of aircraft carriers in the world. The latest defense arsenal is the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, a long-range stealth bomber. By 2040 it will be replaced by the Rockwell B-1 Lancer and the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and later by the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. In addition, the United States uses the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II, the world’s only operational fifth-generation stealth fighter, superior to Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 and China’s Chengdu J-20. The U.S. NMD includes an anti-ballistic missiles with marine, space, laser and high-altitude missile systems. In early April 2013, the United States deployed 14 more Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missiles to Alaska to counter North Korea’s nuclear-armed threats. Currently, U.S. defense technology focuses on the ballistic missile defense system as the world’s first: Ground-Based Midcourse Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) and Space-based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-HIGH).
Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of territory, which still maintains great power with strong land, naval and air forces, being one of the three countries with a fifth-generation fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57. Russia inherited its defense industry from the Soviet Union and is the third largest arms exporter after the United States and France. Russia sells mainly combat aircraft, attack helicopters, air defense systems, and naval equipment.
The Russian A-135 anti-ballistic missile system is currently an operational complex deployed around Moscow to counter enemy missiles headed toward the city or other major cities. The S-300PMU1 and PMU2 intercept SRBMs and in addition, the S-300V and S-400 Triumf systems are capable of intercepting a multiple IRBM attack of all DF-21 model IRBMs. The upgraded S-300VM/VMK can also intercept ballistic missiles with a range of 2,500 km with re-entry speed of 4.5 km/s and the S-400 with 3,500 km with speeds of 4.8 to 5 km/s. Russia’s land defense systems against ballistic and cruise missiles are in service and the S-500 is under development.
China is the world’s largest economy in terms of TPP and spends the second highest defense budget in the world, with a more aggressive air force budget than Russia and the United States. However, China is a new entrant in jet engine production and its technology is not very competent for developing new aircraft.
China currently has the KT series of anti-ballistic missiles, which has adopted its limited capabilities on the HQ-9, KS and HQ-16 systems. The S-300PMU2 is capable of intercepting an SRBM, as it employs the 48N6E2 missile with a warhead optimized to destroy ballistic missiles. On January 11, 2007, China carried out a successful anti-satellite missile test using a KT-1 missile. In 2010, China also tested its exoatmospheric intercept capabilities following the United States and later in 2013 and 2017.
India’s air defense network has two main components, the Air Defense Ground Environment System (ADGES) with extensive radar coverage and Base Air Defense Zones (BADZ) to provide an intense defensive barrier to attacks against vital targets. The ballistic missile defense program focuses on protecting India from missile attacks mainly from Pakistan. It is a two-tier system consisting of two interceptor missiles for high and low altitude interception. A two-tier shield can intercept an incoming missile with a range of 5,000 km.
India also has a cruise missile defense system to defeat an attack by a cruise missile similar to a manned aircraft at low altitude, and most aircraft defense methods can also be used for a cruise missile defense system. Its purpose is to evade attack threats from cruise missiles with nuclear warheads by focusing exclusively on cruise missile interception. Its technological breakthrough was achieved with an advanced air defense missile (AADM).
The Barak-8 is a long-range anti-air and anti-ship defense system jointly developed by Israel and India. The introduction of a variant of the Barak 8 missile fulfills the requirement for a medium-range surface-to-air defense missile. This missile intercepts incoming cruise missiles and enemy fighters targeting warships at sea. India is also building a massive air defense arsenal such as VL-SRSAM, QRSAM, Akash-NG and XRSAM.
Korea is one of the largest economies in the world with a GDP of $2.7 trillion, and its defense industry is quite thriving in quantity and quality, enough to counter imminent threats from North Korea. The speed of overall weapons production meets the needs of ground forces, and Korea also produces warships with domestic technology. Now, Korea’s defense capability and military weapons completely beat not only North Korea but also surrounding countries such as China, Russia and even Japan.
Korea has several short-range BMD systems as part of the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system, a multi-platform against North Korea’s SRBMs, cruise missiles and light aircraft. The Cheongung, a Korean medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM), intercepts North Korea’s SRBMs and MRBMs at a relatively low altitude, similar to the PAC-3. The long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) is comparable to THAAD and operates at high altitude against any other country’s SRBMs and MRBMs. Korea has superior defense systems from short to long range due to its own defense technology.
Offense Military Capability
The Ukraine War is the most critical case of how Ukraine’s offensive operations shift the attack-defense balance. It is clear evidence that defense capability in itself, without sufficient offense strategy, is not enough to defeat the enemy in real combat. Russia was drowned in such a harried attack without guaranteeing absolute victory. On the contrary, Ukraine’s offensive advantage encourages its forward vision with advanced military weapons from the EU, the United States and other countries. In addition, Ukraine has enhanced offensive capability by ending the state of defensive warfare until Russian troops are expelled from Ukrainian territory. It is so hilarious that the pitiful Putin met desperately with Kim JungUn in North Korea to plead for military supplies, despite mostly outdated and incompetent weapons in combat.
On July 5, 2024, Ukrainian Navy Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa proudly announced that Ukraine’s drone strikes at sea had effectively rendered Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters useless. U.S.-made ATACMS missiles have also attacked targets in occupied Crimea and forced Russian ships to move to other locations. Ukraine is also preparing for further air strikes with F-16 fighter jets to expel Russian warplanes in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.
On July 7, 2024, a Ukrainian drone caused a series of explosions and fires at a Russian ammunition depot near the border as the main key of war turns to Ukraine. Even if Putin declares a strong retaliatory response, Russia has already lost its military rivalry, so giving up the war seems better than surrendering in a shameful position.
Now, the next step in the war depends on the ability of Ukrainian forces to regain territory and to shift the offense-defense balance in favor of attacking advantages. If Ukraine serially attacks Russia’s main military headquarters with drones or missiles, Russia’s defense capability will be seriously compromised. At that point, Russia will lose most of its military forces in Ukraine, and key military facilities inside Russia will also be severely damaged. This could trigger the collapse of Russia, similar to the dismantling of the Soviet Union after the 10-year war in Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, the war in Ukraine will by no means end soon, even as Russia faces several dilemmas in its inability to maintain the territory illegally occupied by the invasion. Russia faces several dilemmas: the weakness of ground forces on the battlefield, the difficulty of defending a huge amount of territory, and the insufficient construction of fortifications. In contrast, Ukraine has the ambition to end the war with the help of the West, which includes weapon systems, technology, training, intelligence and even financial support. It is very important to help Ukraine regain its territory and prevent Russia from invading again in the future. At this point, Ukraine will finally defeat Russia as a real winner, moving from a defensive to a strong offensive capability.
Military Leadership for Global Peace
Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems in Korea are acquiring Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia with $100 million to bid for U.S. warship projects, which employs 50 percent in the United States. Henceforth, Hanwha will establish an outpost in the U.S. and export countries will be greatly expanded as Hanwha builds warships in addition to maintenance.
In addition, Hanwha Group will take over Austal, the Australia-based shipbuilder that dominates the global MRO market with a total of $80 billion and $20 billion in the United States. Hanwha will undoubtedly dominate the international naval market as the top exporter, surpassing the U.S., which leverages Korea’s arms sales to reach the top spot.
The global military architecture is being rebuilt by two great powers based on a strong military alliance as a long-standing ally. However, the military initiatives of the United States and Korea focus more on defense technology than on the offensive tool. They focus on self-defense and export military weapons to other countries eager to strengthen their own defense power and defeat enemy invasions. In contrast, Russia, China and North Korea mainly develop and sell military weapons to belligerent countries that threaten global security.
Therefore, while defense capability is essential to becoming a global power, military leadership for global peace and security is an unavoidable factor as the number one priority. The United States sends troops to settle military conflicts and defeat inhumane wars around the world. If the United States had not participated in the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the war in Afghanistan to defeat communist countries, the results would have been much more tragic and painful. Now, the United States is supporting Ukraine to defeat Russia and doing its best to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Including U.S. allies, many countries in the democratic world also willingly support the defeat of these criminal attacks until the war is completely annihilated in international society. At this point, military weapons and technologies should not be a tool of offense, but of defense through military leadership for global peace.
Sunny Lee – Founder and President at CGPS (Center for Global Peace and Security), and Director at IKUPD (Institute for Korea-U.S. Political Development), Washington DC. Sunny Lee is the author of 115 academic books in politics (original English and in German, French, Russian, Polish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese). She is a bestseller writer not only in politics but also in literature on Amazon. Her recent book is titled: “The Influence on Humankind’s Peace through Korean Reunification: Creating new paradigm in social science by interdisciplinary research.”
(The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).
Image Credit: Hyundai Rotem