The government has presented a mid-to-long-term strategy to foster industries in new security sectors, such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and space. The core of the strategy is to establish an industrial ecosystem that links the strengthening of technology-based security capabilities with corporate growth.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Korea Aerospace Administration announced on the 26th that they had released the 'Direction for Fostering Future New Security Innovative Companies' at the Chungmu Room of the Blue House.

The government has set a goal to foster five companies with a corporate value of over 1 trillion won and 50 innovative companies with sales of over 100 billion won in the new security sector by 2030.

The government plans to establish a structure in which security capabilities and industrial growth are linked based on private sector technology.

Major strategic fields presented include drones and robots, defense AI and semiconductors, defense sensors, space and aviation, and cybersecurity and quantum communication.

The reform of the procurement system was also included. The plan aims to move away from the existing structure where the introduction of weapon systems takes a long time and shorten procurement procedures to enable the rapid introduction of advanced technology equipment, such as AI.

In addition, the introduction of a corporate proposal-based open competition acquisition method and a payment method based on staged performance is being considered.

Research and development (R&D) support will also be expanded. An 'OTA-based' R&D system will be introduced, allowing for support of up to 10 billion won per company over a maximum of five years. OTA (Other Transaction Authority) is a method that enables the rapid execution of contracts, verification, and purchases.

In the investment sector, the establishment of a 'Korean-style In-Q-Tel (IQT)' through direct government investment is being pursued. Along with private investment, the plan is to strengthen support for companies at each stage of growth by raising up to 10 trillion won in funding.

The Ministry of National Defense is expanding the military's demonstration environment, focusing on AI and drone technology. It plans to expand the number of demonstration units to nine by 2026 and promote the opening of military data and the establishment of AI training data.

In addition, a data environment that can be utilized by both the military and the civilian sector will be established, and the enactment of a separate law for the introduction of advanced weapon systems is also being considered.

The Space Agency announced a strategy that includes fostering satellite data-based industries.

The main contents include the establishment of a space data center, an open platform for satellite information, the development of AI drones and vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and the establishment of a supply chain for space components.

The government plans to establish a committee under the Prime Minister to facilitate cooperation among relevant ministries and to simultaneously reform laws and systems.

A government official stated, “We will establish a support system to ensure that private sector technology can be rapidly applied to the security sector.”