1. Study Objectives and Method

■ Research Background and Objective

￮ The domestic defense industry is undergoing exponential growth both quantitatively and qualitatively, driven by the expansion of export destinations and diversification of export items, which is attracting increasing global attention.

￮ High-end technologies are converging with the defense industry, prompting efforts to integrate cutting-edge civilian technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, manned–unmanned hybrid systems, and aerospace, into the defense sector. 

￮ Defense maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) is an essential factor in enhancing the military and combat readiness with higher equipment operation rates, relying on technological prowess and supply chain response capabilities as weapon systems become more advanced and complex.

￮ Demand for MRO services is rising due to the need for maintenance and management of exported South Korean defense products, alongside the reorganization of weapon systems with advanced technologies.

￮ This study selects defense MRO subfields for Jeonbuk State based on a systematic analysis of the defense MRO industry environment and proposes directions for establishing a K-defense industry MRO cluster centered on Jeonbuk State's core industry and technology. 

■ Research Scope and Methods

￮ The spatial scope of research is set to Jeonbuk State, and its temporal scope covers the period from 2026 to 2035 based on the 2025 viewpoint.

￮ Research methods include literature review, information research, case studies, and statistical analyses to conduct an industry analysis and derive development strategies, leveraging expert advice and the analytic hierarchy process in establishing policy directions. 

2. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations

■ Policy directions for establishing a K-defense industry MRO cluster

￮ Establish a vision and promotional strategy for a K-defense industry MRO cluster by considering the defense MRO industry conditions in Jeonbuk State, industry/technology analysis outcomes, and policy factors.

￮ The vision for establishing the K-defense industry MRO cluster is materialized as “Establishment of an integrated K-defense industry MRO cluster of Army, Navy, and Air Force in connection to the core industry/technology of Jeonbuk State,“ with its promotional strategies as ① upgrade defense MRO technology and attract key companies, ② establish an integrated industrial ecosystem for the full-cycle defense MRO, and ③ expand the defense MRO industry network and nurture manpower tailored to demand. 

■ Major Task

￮ This study considers policy factors regarding key technologies/companies, industrial ecosystems, and industrial support systems for establishing a K-defense industry MRO cluster in deriving detailed policy directions and tasks for each category.

￮ Basic establishment directions are as follows: ① build a comprehensive defense MRO demonstration center and provide full-cycle integrated R&D support, ② establish and operate a K-defense industry MRO cluster support center, ③ identify core defense MRO industry infrastructure, and ④ establish a defense MRO governance and training system for professional manpower.

￮ Detailed tasks by category are as follows: ① ground MRO: promote combat performance and technological upgrading based on high-end technologies, ② maritime MRO: establish a demonstration platform for optimizing maritime manned-unmanned hybrid forces, and ③ aviation MRO: improve unmanned aerial vehicle performance and identify a composite material verification base

￮ (Ground MRO) ① upgrade physical AI-based unmanned ground vehicle technology and ② maximize combat performance of cutting-edge materials-based tactical and transport vehicles.

￮ (Maritime MRO) ① improve the multipurpose mission equipment of unmanned aerial vehicles and optimize the integrated maintenance system and ② upgrade the maritime manned–unmanned hybrid system.

￮ (Aviation MRO) ① improve the multipurpose mission equipment of unmanned  aerial vehicles and optimize the integrated maintenance system and ② establish infrastructure for detecting defects and employing precision verification for aviation composite materials.

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