The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has published the 'Defense Technology White Paper 2026,' which summarizes key technologies in the defense sector to support the realization of a future smart, strong military based on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced information and communication technology (ICT). The white paper includes 103 technologies applicable to the defense field.

ETRI announced that it has published this white paper to provide technical support for the Ministry of National Defense's core defense operation plan for 2026, "Fostering a Smart Strong Military Based on AI and Advanced Science and Technology." This is the third edition since its first publication in 2022, and it systematically organizes the ICT technologies possessed by the institute in response to the government's "Defense Innovation 4.0" policy.

The white paper outlines a strategy to apply the five major "super technologies" currently being pursued by ETRI—super-intelligence, super-connectivity, super-realism, super-performance, and super-convergence—to all areas of national defense. Among these, 103 core technologies immediately applicable to the defense sector were selected. It also presented directions for integrating AI, robotics, and automatic and autonomous management control technologies to compensate for the limitations of military personnel resources resulting from population decline.
The included technologies include trusted communication and network technologies that enhance security and survivability for commercial WiFi and 5G-based communication. 'WiFi-based intelligent stealth net technology' and 'trusted interoperability technology for defense mobile environments' have verified their potential for use by conducting living lab demonstrations and combat experiments in the defense domain.

In addition, a plan was proposed to combine modularized chips and intelligent software with existing hardware-centric weapon systems. The explanation is that this will enhance the functionality of weapon systems and establish a foundation for joint civilian-military utilization.

ETRI President Bang Seung-chan stated in indirect speech that 2026 is a critical time for the transition to an advanced science and technology military, and expressed his hope that the technologies listed in the white paper would be utilized to resolve current issues in national defense operations.

ETRI announced that it plans to distribute the white paper to the Ministry of National Defense, the military, and defense contractors, and make it available on the institute's website.