[Edaily Reporter kim kwanyong ] As a 3D vision camera recognized the shape and position of the supplies, a robotic arm picked them up and neatly stacked them on a pallet. Next to it, a collaborative robot unfolded a folded box to create a shipping carton, while another robot packaged the supplies into smaller units. The packaged supplies were not transported by humans. Unmanned forklifts, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and unmanned rail vehicles automatically moved them to the next process.

The Army’s logistics operations, which once relied on manpower and manual labor, are rapidly transforming into an AI- and robot-centered “smart logistics” system.

On the 7th, the Army held a logistics policy briefing at the Army General Supply Depot in Sejong City, presided over by Brig. Gen. Ha Heon-cheol, Chief of Logistics Staff, and unveiled the operations of the 1st Supply Brigade’s Smart Logistics Center.

The 1st Supply Brigade’s Smart Logistics Center digitally integrates and manages the entire process—from the receipt of supplies through storage, inventory management, sorting, and issuance. Robots and unmanned transport vehicles are integrated into each process, automating logistics operations that were previously labor-intensive.

Currently, the 1st Supply Brigade operates a Grade 2 smart logistics center certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Army plans to upgrade the three supply brigades under the Army General Supply Depot to Grade 1 smart logistics centers in the future. The vision is to raise the level of logistics intelligence by establishing a system that utilizes an AI-based logistics support requirements estimation model, as well as autonomous forklifts and unmanned transport vehicles.

In particular, the Army has developed and is operating an AI-based logistics support demand forecasting model to predict supply needs. The 1st and 5th Logistics Support Commands are also conducting pilot projects involving unmanned forklifts and unmanned transport vehicles. The long-term goal is to transition to an intelligent warehouse management system where AI and robots integrate and manage the entire process from the receipt to the issuance of supplies.

Maintenance operations are also changing. By establishing a “smart factory”-based maintenance system that integrates AI, big data, and robots, the military is shifting from a reactive approach—repairing equipment after it breaks down—to a condition-based maintenance system that analyzes equipment status to predict failures in advance and perform maintenance at the optimal time. The plan is to increase equipment uptime while reducing maintenance costs.

Another key policy is the expansion of MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) by incorporating civilian maintenance capabilities into the military. The Army is currently applying Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) to 16 types of equipment, including the K2 main battle tank and regional air defense radars. Under PBL, the Army enters into long-term contracts with logistics support providers, sets performance metrics such as target availability rates, and then pays the providers based on their performance after they supply logistics support elements such as maintenance services and repair parts. The Army plans to add a Field Maintenance Support Center in the western region to support field unit maintenance and expand this initiative to the eastern and rear regions in the future.

MRO is also linked to policies supporting K-defense exports. The Army plans to hold a seminar on MRO based on the Korean Performance-Based Logistics (K-PBL) system in Poland this September to discuss support measures for local operation and maintenance following defense exports. The goal is to leverage the PBL and MRO experience accumulated domestically to enhance the competitiveness of follow-on logistics support for K-defense exports.

The method of delivering supplies to the battlefield is also changing. The Army is phasing in the Palletized Load System (PLS) for logistics units. By pre-loading logistics supplies onto pallets or containers, they can be loaded and unloaded using the vehicles’ own mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate forklifts or cranes.

In mountainous and isolated areas where vehicle access is difficult, transport drones with a payload capacity of approximately 40 kg will be deployed. Wearable robots designed to assist soldiers in moving heavy supplies will also be utilized. A system will be established to connect logistics information sharing, supply requests, and distribution in real time using commercial satellites and the Army Mobile Operations System (AMOS).

The Army is also promoting “keyless ammunition depots.” This involves replacing the existing method of managing firearms and ammunition—which relies on physical keys and manual records—with a digital authentication system.

The Army is pursuing the “Keyless Army” project, which integrates the Mobile Operations System (AMOS), Near Field Communication (NFC), and biometric authentication technologies to enable access to firearms and ammunition storage facilities. The plan is to conduct pilot tests at three units, including the 9th Infantry Division, this year to verify military suitability, followed by expansion to all units by 2034.

The Army is also establishing an energy system to prepare for “power issues” on future battlefields. It will phase in next-generation energy sources ranging from solar power to hydrogen and nuclear power. By the end of this year, the Army plans to invest 20 billion won in the Sangmu Training Center to launch its first microgrid pilot project and, based on this, establish “Army-Grid,” the Army’s standard microgrid model.

The Army will also expand the introduction of electric and hydrogen-powered mobility equipment. The goal is to reduce the noise, heat generation, and fuel efficiency issues associated with existing internal combustion engine equipment, thereby increasing operational endurance and survivability.

At the same time, the Army will improve logistical support in ways that soldiers can tangibly experience in their daily lives. The daily meal allowance for service members, currently set at 14,000 won, will be gradually increased to 16,000 won by 2030, and personalized meal options and buffet-style dining will be introduced. The use of civilian catering services will also be expanded to 40 units.

Barracks amenities will also be upgraded to the standard of civilian dormitories in conjunction with projects such as the renovation of four-person living quarters, and the supply of commercial-grade products—such as commercial washing machines and dryers—will be increased. At training sites, civilian-contracted convenience facilities will be provided as package solutions, and the “Clean & Care” service, which cleans and maintains home appliances, will also be expanded.

On the same day, a total of 34 items were displayed at the outdoor exhibition area of the Smart Logistics Center, including 10 types of Warrior Platforms and 24 types of equipment and supplies for the newly operationalized Power Support System. Among these, four items—the PLS system, transport drones, wearable robots, and mobile microgrids—were demonstrated in actual operation.

Ha Heon-cheol, Chief of the Army’s Logistics Staff, stated, “This event showcases the current state and future direction of the Army’s logistics policy on-site—ranging from improvements in the daily lives of soldiers—such as food, clothing, and shelter—to smart logistics systems that will support sustained operations on future battlefields.” He added, “We will actively integrate civilian expertise and cutting-edge technologies, such as AI and robotics, into logistics operations to provide timely logistical support to combat units.”