LIG Nex1 has entered a collaboration with the Defense Rapid Acquisition Technology Research Institute (DRATRI), a government-funded entity, to develop a cutting-edge Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) system designed to enhance communication capabilities within the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA). The initiative is backed by a project worth KRW 15.3 billion (approximately USD 10 million), as announced by LIG Nex1 on January 3, 2025. The MANET system is part of a strategic effort to bolster the communication infrastructure of smaller RoKA formations, such as brigades, by providing a robust, modular communication solution. Unlike traditional networks, the system will enable autonomous configuration through wireless terminals, even in environments lacking network infrastructure. This flexibility will allow the RoKA to maintain communication in the most challenging battlefield conditions.
The system is designed to relay real-time data from a variety of sources, including deployed soldiers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and ground combat vehicles, directly to brigade command posts. This will support faster, more informed decision-making processes on the front lines. LIG Nex1 plans to deliver three types of communication equipment as part of the system: a drone communication device for UAVs, a portable communication device for individual soldiers, and a vehicle communication device for ground combat vehicles. The project is slated for completion by 2027, with the first prototype undergoing six months of field testing with the RoKA before final delivery. The development of the MANET system is crucial to ensuring that the RoKA can adapt to evolving combat environments, where rapid deployment of advanced communication solutions is key.
This project is also part of LIG Nex1’s broader vision to develop next-generation communication technologies that support future combat systems, including the Warrior Platform, Dronebot combat system, and Army Tiger 4.0. By leveraging its expertise in tactical communications, including the recently developed Tactical Multi-Band Multi-Function Radio (TMMR), LIG Nex1 aims to drive the hyper-connectivity and intelligence necessary for modern warfare. LIG Nex1, a major defense contractor based in South Korea, has a long history of producing sophisticated electronic systems, including missiles, radars, and naval combat systems. With this latest project, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the evolution of the Republic of Korea’s military capabilities.
