SEOUL, Jan. 10 (BNA): South Korea’s defense technologies were assessed to be the ninth most advanced in the world as of last year, a triennial government report showed Monday, citing progress in artillery, submarines and other sectors.
According to the report of the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Development (KRIT), South Korea ranked ninth among 16 countries, compared to the previous report in which the country tied with Italy in ninth place in 2018.
The institute has published the report since 2008 to assess South Korea’s comparative strengths and weaknesses to help formulate strategies for its defense research and development.
Among the 26 key areas of defense technology, South Korea’s capabilities have improved in 10 areas, including artillery, submarines, command control, electronic weapons and underwater surveillance, according to the report.
But the report listed 11 areas, including radar systems and space weapons, as those that needed “more attention”.
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that “its rating in artillery has risen to fourth place based on improved performance of self-propelled artillery and automation technology.”
“Its technology level has also improved in submarines, such as the successful test launch of an underwater SLBM ballistic missile,” she added, referring to the South’s test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile last year.
In the latest report, the United States took the lead, followed by France and Russia, who tied for second place. Germany and Britain ranked fifth, followed by China, Israel and Japan.
HF