[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon ] #SAMYANG COMTECH CO., LTD., a K-defense company specializing in ballistic and protective solutions, announced on the 22nd that its Technology Research Institute has been designated as an “Outstanding Corporate Research Institute for the First Half of 2026” by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The Excellent Corporate Research Institute Designation System selects corporate research institutes that demonstrate outstanding R&D capabilities and achievements in technological innovation. Designated institutes receive benefits such as preferential treatment in the selection process for national R&D projects and recommendations for government awards. The designation is valid for three years.

The company explained that this designation followed a review by specialized subcommittees in the fields of ceramics, chemistry, polymers, and the environment, and was the result of recognition for its R&D investments and technological infrastructure in the ballistic and protective fields.

SAMYANG COMTECH CO., LTD. operates a research and development system that links its Gwangju Research Institute, Anseong Technology Research Institute, and Ballistic Testing Laboratory. The company has established a one-stop ballistic solution system capable of handling everything in-house—from material development to product design, production, testing and evaluation, and performance verification—and also operates South Korea’s only KOLAS-accredited international ballistic testing laboratory.

The company established its in-house research institute in 1990 and currently employs approximately 50 researchers, including those at the Materials Research Institute founded in 2024. More than 45% of its research staff hold master’s or doctoral degrees, and the company is currently carrying out 22 projects, including government-funded initiatives and projects for system integrators. Its R&D budget totals approximately 30 billion won, and it holds 22 registered patents and 2 pending patent applications.

This R&D capability is driving the development and mass production of ballistic and protective products used in the K2 main battle tank, wheeled armored vehicles, light tactical vehicles, the Cheonmu multiple launch rocket system, the Surion helicopter, and light armed helicopters.

Building on this designation as an “Outstanding Corporate Research Institute,” SAMYANG COMTECH CO., LTD. plans to expand its development of high-performance, ultra-lightweight ballistic materials and protective technologies for next-generation weapon systems. In particular, the company has signed a technology transfer agreement with the Korea Institute of Ceramic Technology and will begin joint R&D to enhance the performance of next-generation ultra-high-temperature ceramic materials starting this September. Through this initiative, the company aims to secure next-generation material technologies that offer high heat resistance and durability even in extreme environments.

Kim Jong-il, CEO of SAMYANG COMTECH CO., LTD., stated, “This designation as an ‘Outstanding Corporate Research Institute’ is highly significant as it officially recognizes SAMYANG COMTECH CO., LTD.’s R&D capabilities and achievements in technological innovation accumulated in the ballistic protection and defense sectors.” He added, “We will continue to lead the way in achieving technological self-reliance and enhancing the performance of core defense materials, and by expanding our accumulated material technologies into future high-tech industries such as aerospace, we will leap forward to become a global leader in ballistic protection and defense solutions.”