LIG D&A Strengthens Supply Chain Security... Government and Partners Respond Jointly

[Financial News] LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) is joining forces with the government, the defense industry and suppliers to strengthen security across the K-Defense Industry supply chain. As defense exports, overseas joint development and local production expand, the company aims to raise security standards throughout the supply chain, including among small and midsize suppliers.
LIG D&A said on the 18th that it participated as the chair company of the Korea Defense Industry Protection Association at the launch ceremony of the 'Defense Industry Supply Chain Security Win-Win Cooperation Partnership,' held at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul on the 17th.
The event, organized by the Korea Defense Industry Protection Association and sponsored by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, was attended by approximately 40 people, including officials from relevant government agencies, LIG D&A, Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem and 14 major domestic defense system companies, as well as suppliers and association representatives.
The partnership was established to address the protection of defense technologies and supply chain security as issues requiring a joint response from the government and industry, rather than action by individual companies, and to strengthen suppliers' security capabilities.
As K-Defense Industry exports, overseas joint development and local production have increased, security across the entire supply chain, including suppliers, has become increasingly important in determining export competitiveness and credibility. The defense industry supply chain consists of system integrators, research and development organizations, manufacturers, maintenance providers and parts suppliers that share technologies and information.
Accordingly, the need for a joint response involving system integrators, suppliers, the government and specialized organizations is growing, as a security vulnerability at one company could pose a risk to the entire supply chain.
The participating organizations agreed through the 'Joint Declaration on Win-Win Cooperation for Defense Industry Supply Chain Security' to strengthen security capabilities across the defense industry supply chain. In particular, they agreed to support small and midsize suppliers in establishing stable security management systems and responding to changing export and security environments, while sharing the experience and best practices of system integrators.
They also plan to gather feedback on the difficulties faced by small and midsize suppliers and expand communication and cooperation among the government, industry and specialized organizations. The measure takes into account the challenges these companies face in meeting complex defense security requirements because of limited budgets and a shortage of specialized personnel.
Through the partnership, LIG D&A plans to expand security cooperation with its suppliers and share relevant experience and best practices so that potential security vulnerabilities in the supply chain can be identified and addressed proactively. Together with relevant government agencies and the Korea Defense Industry Protection Association, it will also support suppliers in responding to domestic and overseas security environments.
An LIG D&A official said, "For the K-Defense Industry to sustain its growth and secure global competitiveness, it is important to strengthen the security capabilities of the entire supply chain, including suppliers, alongside those of system integrators." The official added, "We will expand win-win cooperation with suppliers and actively contribute to building a trustworthy defense industry supply chain."

[email protected] Jeong Won-il Reporter