In the years-long Russia-Ukraine war, both countries are facing manpower shortages, highlighting the importance of the Warrior Platform. The Warrior Platform refers to personal equipment designed to increase soldiers' survival rates and maximize combat effectiveness. With troop sizes decreasing, there are calls to accelerate technology development to enhance military combat power.

Rep. Han Gi-ho of the People Power Party noted at a seminar on artificial intelligence (AI) and the innovation of the Warrior Platform held on the 24th in the National Assembly that "The Warrior Platform linked with AI not only increases combat efficiency but is also a key element that fundamentally changes the paradigm of future battlefields," adding, "Our military must adopt AI technology and continuously develop the Warrior Platform." Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party also remarked, "The Warrior Platform will greatly impact the survivability of our troops."

On the afternoon of the 24th, attendees are discussing at the 'AI Military and Warrior Platform Innovation Seminar' held at the National Assembly Hall's first subcommittee room. /Courtesy of Ji-hwan Kim

The Army's acquisition plan for the Warrior Platform consists of three phases. Phase 1 involves the introduction of identification devices and bulletproof vests, while Phase 2 focuses on integrating a personal combat system with tactical networks to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities. Phase 3 aims for a 'wearable' system that soldiers can directly wear, integrating the body with technology. Currently, supplies are being gradually distributed to each unit following Phase 1.

The Army emphasized the importance of domestic production of the Warrior Platform at the seminar. Lt. Gen. Son Dae-kwon, Commander of the Army Logistics Command, said, "The Warrior Platform project has entered its second phase, and key technologies, like the K-2 rifle, must be domestically produced," adding, "If we rely on foreign technologies, it will be difficult to demonstrate our capabilities. We need to gradually enhance performance through domestic technology." He continued, "To achieve this, we must increase the research and development proportion of manufacturers, and government departments must also assist."

On the afternoon of the 24th, LIG Nex1's integrated personal combat system is displayed at the 'AI Military and Warrior Platform Innovation Exhibition' held at the National Assembly Hall. /Courtesy of Ji-hwan Kim

The Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute pointed out that changes to the power support system (equipment, parts, software) acquisition system are necessary. Jeon Sang-bae, head of the power systems research center, stated, "The current system, which focuses on purchasing excellent products, makes it difficult to link to medium- and long-term acquisition plans, and interoperability among weapons systems is insufficient," noting, "We need to strengthen the research and development capabilities of power support systems to support the combat effectiveness of combatants, like the Warrior Platform, and consider the integration of weapons systems."

Suggestions regarding the future Warrior Platform were also made. It was suggested that forces equipped with the Warrior Platform should evolve into a complex system that handles drones, robots, and unmanned vehicles. Director General Choi Jun-seong of the Defense Science Research Institute stated, "We are continuing research and development to ensure interoperability with other weapons systems. Integrating research and development between weapons systems and power support systems from the planning stage is also necessary."

On the 24th, Song Il-jong (third from the right) Chairman of the National Assembly Defense Committee and Yoo Yong-won (fourth from the right) the People Power Party member are inspecting the prototypes at the 'AI Military and Warrior Platform Innovation Exhibition' held at the National Assembly Hall. /Courtesy of Ji-hwan Kim

In the lobby of the National Assembly, an exhibition of personal combat systems featuring 18 participating companies was also held. On that day, LIG Nex1 unveiled core technologies of the integrated personal combat system. The system recognizes information through cameras and antennas on bulletproof helmets and delivers it to soldiers via an integrated processing module. A leading researcher at LIG Nex1 stated, "The integrated personal combat system aims for operational capability by 2029-2030."