Gyeongnam Province to Develop Indigenous Advanced Aero-Engines at Changwon National Industrial Complex ... Designated as Korea's First Specialized Complex

The Changwon National Industrial Complex in Gyeongnam Province is set to transform into a hub for the development of indigenous advanced aero-engine technologies.

On September 30, the Gyeongnam Provincial Government announced at the provincial government press center that the Changwon National Industrial Complex has been designated as the only 'advanced aero-engine specialized complex' in the national advanced strategic industry defense sector.

This is the first time an advanced strategic industry specialized complex has been designated in the Gyeongnam region.

Choi Manrim, Vice Governor for Economy of Gyeongsangnam-do, is announcing the designation of the Changwon National Industrial Complex as a specialized advanced aero-engine cluster and future plans.
Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

The Changwon National Industrial Complex is home to leading companies in the development and manufacturing of aero-engine parts and materials, such as Hanwha Aerospace, Doosan Enerbility, and SeAH Changwon Special Steel, as well as key national research institutions in the field of materials, including the Korea Institute of Materials Science.

With the designation of this specialized complex, a comprehensive industrial ecosystem will be established, covering the entire cycle from the development of key advanced aero-engine materials and components, to testing and certification, production, and export.

The government and the Gyeongnam Provincial Government will support the Changwon National Industrial Complex in becoming the core domestic center for advanced aero-engines. Support measures will include expanding industrial infrastructure and joint R&D facilities, fostering corporate technology development and industrialization, talent cultivation, and expediting related administrative procedures and approvals.

The field of aero-engines demands a high level of technology, as they must operate in high-temperature and high-pressure environments over long durations. Only a handful of countries possess independent technologies in this area.

In particular, the key technologies, materials, and components in this field are classified as strategic technologies subject to international export controls. Therefore, securing a stable supply chain and core technological capabilities is a crucial task for national competitiveness.

Currently, the localization rate of core aero-engine items in Korea stands at 22%, making the acquisition of proprietary engine technology essential.

Accordingly, the government is pursuing the phased development of next-generation advanced aero-engines, aiming to officially launch the project in 2028.

Strategy for Promoting the Gyeongnam Advanced Aero Engine Specialized Complex and Its Development Goals.
[Image provided by Gyeongnam Province]

To establish this specialized complex, the Gyeongnam Provincial Government will invest a total of 773.1 billion won, including national funds, by 2036.

The complex aims to support the localization of advanced aero-engine proprietary technologies, aiming to raise the localization level up to 90%.

Furthermore, by supporting the establishment of independent supply chains for advanced aero-engines, the initiative will help local companies expand into the aero-engine sector and enter domestic and international aviation and defense supply chains.

A dedicated task force will be operated for the specialized complex, and a collaborative system will be established among companies, universities, and research institutions in order to create a sustainable industrial ecosystem centered around the complex.

Through these efforts, the plan is to achieve 6 trillion won in aero-engine sales, 3 trillion won in exports, and to create over 8,000 new jobs by 2035.

Participating companies, including Hanwha Aerospace, Doosan Enerbility, and SeAH Changwon Special Steel, have prepared investment plans totaling 2.28 trillion won in conjunction with the specialized complex. They will work to expand production and R&D bases for aero-engines and strengthen industry competitiveness.

Choi Manrim, Deputy Governor of Gyeongnam Province for Economic Affairs, stated, "Localization is the most critical factor for the simultaneous growth of both finished product manufacturers and material and component producers. Although sales are being generated through orders, if localization is not achieved, a significant portion of the revenue may flow abroad."

He added, "Increasing the localization rate of technology and participating in product development through demonstration and certification is the best way to prevent polarization between large enterprises and small- and medium-sized companies. In particular, since the aero-engine sector is closely linked to security issues, we plan to prioritize efforts to raise the localization rate."

The Deputy Governor further commented, "This specialized complex designation is a new starting point for achieving technological independence in aero-engines. We will strive to ensure that successes in technology development lead to corporate growth and the creation of quality jobs."

He concluded, "We will accelerate the technological independence of Korean aero-engines and further enhance the competitiveness of the aerospace industry, creating a great leap forward for Gyeongnam together with its residents. We look forward to the day when advanced aero-engines developed with our own technology power Korean aircraft soaring across the skies worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.