Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Defense Acquisition Program Administration Sign MOU for Turbofan Engine Development
Investing 88 billion won by 2025 · Boosting the competitiveness of the materials and components industry

Relevant ministries are joining forces to support the development of turbofan engines for unmanned aerial vehicles, including providing a budget of approximately 88 billion won by 2025.
On January 30, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration signed a memorandum of understanding centered on the formation of an inter-agency consultative body and the protection of intellectual property rights for the successful development of high-performance turbofan engines for future defense unmanned aerial vehicles.

Turbofan engines for unmanned aerial vehicles are items subject to strict import and export controls under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), making independent domestic technology development absolutely necessary to strengthen national defense capabilities in the future.

To this end, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which has strengths in developing materials and components required for engines, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, which has strengths in the overall design, manufacturing, and testing and evaluation of engines, have combined their core capabilities.

The development of high-performance turbofan engines is all the more significant as it can secure the overall competitiveness of not only the national defense sector but also the domestic materials, parts, and equipment industry.

The development of high-value superalloy materials and components required for engines is expected to not only enhance the technological capabilities of the domestic industry but also serve as a catalyst to facilitate future entry into domestic and international civilian markets, building upon its application in the defense sector. />
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration plan to provide concentrated support of approximately 88 billion won starting this year and continuing through 2025 to ensure the development of high-performance turbofan engines proceeds without setbacks.
Kang Kyung-sung, Director General for Materials, Parts, and Equipment Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, “I am pleased that the pan-governmental commitment to strengthening the competitiveness of materials, parts, and equipment has become more concrete through this cooperation project,” adding, “We plan to provide unsparing support to ensure successful outcomes.”

Kim Sang-mo, Director General of the Defense Technology Protection Bureau at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, stated, “Through the development of turbofan engines for unmanned aerial vehicles, we will lay the foundation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and self-reliant defense in the field of surveillance and reconnaissance,” adding, “We will achieve a definite synergy effect through the convergence of defense and industry and contribute to the development of the national economy.”