Hanwha Systems, TTA to jointly develop next-generation military communications network

Hanwha Systems announced Thursday that it has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) to jointly develop an AI-based 5G tactical communications system.

The core of the partnership is developing next-generation military communications network technology by applying AI to both 5G terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks. The two organizations plan to integrate civilian 5G communications technology into military systems and develop it in line with global standards so other countries can adopt it as well.

Hanwha Systems is the only domestic company to have completed every phase of the Tactical Information Communications Network (TICN) — the backbone of South Korea's military tactical communications — from exploratory development in 2007 through system development in 2010 to its recent operational deployment. The company holds unrivaled practical expertise spanning requirements analysis for harsh battlefield environments, system development and operational maintenance. TTA is the country's sole specialized agency for mobile communications standardization — covering LTE, 5G and 6G — and for internationally accredited testing and certification.

NATO and other global military alliances are actively engaged in standardization discussions aimed at integrating civilian communications technology into military systems in preparation for future warfare. Breaking into the global military communications market therefore requires not only technological capability but also compatibility between commercial and defense communications technologies and full interoperability.

Through their joint development effort, Hanwha Systems and TTA plan to incorporate civilian 5G and 6G technologies based on 3GPP standards — as well as NATO communications standards — from the earliest planning and design stages, and to verify compatibility. The goal is to guarantee the communications interoperability required by the EU, NATO and others while laying the groundwork for expanding exports.

Hanwha Systems and TTA also plan to jointly develop MOSS (Modular Open Suite of Standard), an integrated communications solution mountable on vehicles and other platforms to support multi-layer tactical communications.

"Advancing military communications is a core capability that will determine the outcome of future battles," a Hanwha Systems official said. "Hanwha Systems and TTA will continue to work together to upgrade the South Korean military's hyper-connected tactical communications network, strengthen our ability to respond to international standardization trends, and contribute to enhancing the global competitiveness of Korea's defense industry."