LIG D&A's 'Defense Corruption Technologies': Are They Truly Unrelated to Electronic Warfare Aircraft?

Controversy continues over the connection between electronic warfare aircraft and what is being called the largest defense corruption scandal in history, in which LIG D&A is accused of winning six defense projects in exchange for providing a 460 million won bribe to a Grade 5 official at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). This is because if the six defense projects turn out to be directly linked to electronic warfare aircraft technologies, the 1.8 trillion won system development contract for the electronic warfare aircraft secured by LIG D&A in December last year could be terminated, and the lead contractor could be replaced.

First, the defense projects unlawfully won by LIG D&A must be examined. According to SBS reporting, the six defense projects include: ① small drone response system, ② intelligent signal detection technology, ③ real-time wideband multi-threat signal environment simulation technology, ④ jamming technology against electronically scanned array radars, ⑤ real-time anti-satellite jamming technology based on a space radio environment situational awareness model, and ⑥ a module platform for active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars.

LIG D&A maintains the position that "the six technologies have nothing to do with electronic warfare aircraft." However, prosecutors leading the investigation and the defense industry believe the company "intercepted core electronic warfare technology projects through bribery in order to take control of the electronic warfare aircraft system development project." DAPA appears to share a similar view with prosecutors. Which side is telling the truth? ① The small drone response system is technology designed to intercept small unmanned aerial vehicles. ② Intelligent signal detection technology detects weak signals within complex electromagnetic environments—rather than standard electrical signals—and automatically identifies modulation methods. ③ Real-time wideband multi-threat signal environment simulation technology simultaneously detects and analyzes multiple enemy threat signals in a complex operational battlefield environment.

④ Jamming technology against electronically scanned array radars is designed to disrupt and neutralize high-performance enemy radars using electronic scanning, and ⑤ real-time anti-satellite jamming technology based on a space radio environment situational awareness model disrupts and disables satellites orbiting in space. ⑥ The module platform for active electronically scanned array radars serves as a common platform for defense semiconductors and various modules mounted on aircraft.

Technologies ② and ③ are defensive capabilities that identify intricate, diverse enemy signals. Technologies ④ and ⑤ are offensive capabilities designed to incapacitate enemy radars and satellites deployed across land, air, and space. Technology ⑥ can be considered a versatile general-purpose technology applicable across fighter jets, electronic warfare aircraft, and airborne early warning and control aircraft.

Multiple defense industry executives and officials contacted by SBS unanimously agreed that "technologies ② to ⑥ are electronic warfare technologies applicable to electronic warfare aircraft." A key official from the Ministry of National Defense pointed out, "Because LIG D&A acquired electronic warfare-related technologies such as technologies ② to ⑥, LIG D&A's Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for electronic warfare aircraft was rated higher than that of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), which led to the decision to place the electronic warfare aircraft system development under corporate leadership." DAPA officials also stated, "Technologies ② through ⑥ are classified under the electronic warfare sector." A press release distributed by the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office on August 20 classified ② intelligent signal detection technology and ④ jamming technology against electronically scanned array radars as core electronic warfare aircraft technologies, and ③ real-time wideband multi-threat signal environment simulation technology as a technology related to electronic warfare aircraft. The prosecution's indictment obtained by SBS went further, grouping technologies ② through ⑥ into the category of electromagnetic warfare, the newly adopted terminology for electronic warfare.

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office assessed the technologies somewhat strictly in its press release, while the indictment reflected a broader view similar to that of the industry and DAPA. In any case, prosecutors firmly stated, "LIG D&A bribed a DAPA official to win multiple defense projects, thereby securing an advantageous position in the competition for the electronic warfare aircraft system development project." They also defined the incident as a "grave anti-state crime that shakes national security."

LIG D&A is telling a completely different story. In a statement released on August 21, LIG D&A stressed regarding the contested defense contracts that they "have no connection to the core technological elements of the electronic warfare aircraft project." The company pushed back against the prosecution's press release, calling it a "groundless claim."

The perspectives of the prosecution, defense contractors, and DAPA on the relationship between LIG D&A's contested contracts and the electronic warfare aircraft stand in stark contrast to that of LIG D&A. The distance between both sides leaves little room for compromise, and the debate is expected to persist. It could linger as an enduring burden on Korea's defense export drive. DAPA must step in and clear up the dispute.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.