The Hanbit Unit
Following the completion of the operational helicopter test evaluation, the Army, in consultation with the Ministry of National Defense, finalized the mass production volume for the utility helicopters.
"They intend to contract for 200 units in four phases, along with 50 Switchblade launchers, 200 anti-personnel Switchblade rounds, and 100 anti-tank rounds," the aide reported.
"What is the timeline for these four phases of production?"
"It runs through 2024, with a total project value of approximately 5 trillion won. This current phase is worth 800 billion won."
"Well, Starlink Aviation doesn't have to worry about production volume anymore. Shouldn't we be looking into hiring more personnel?"
"Yes. With the increase in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing contracts, we need to secure at least 20% more staff."
"Handle that as you see fit, President Jo. More importantly, how is the AI drone project coming along?"
"The low-spec drones have finished assembly, and we are currently confirming their final performance. The high-spec drones intended for the wingman role are scheduled to begin assembly shortly."
"Have you estimated the mass production costs?"
"The low-spec ones are around 4 billion won, and the wingman drones are 120 billion won each."
"Has the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) commented on those unit price estimates?"
"They haven't said anything about the low-spec ones, but they claim the wingman drones are too expensive and suggest we need to reduce the production quantity."
"And how many are they suggesting we cut from the original 20?"
"They mentioned around 10, but we need to negotiate further."
"South Korea's defense budget is truly insufficient."
"It's not just a lack of budget; it's because the only compatible platform is the FA-50 light attack aircraft. Both drones were designed with stealth geometry, but since the FA-50 lacks stealth capabilities, they seem to think the necessity is lower."
"That will change once the high-end fighter we're currently developing is completed."
"Yes. The high-end model is being designed with a stealth shape, so we expect contract volumes to increase then. Sir, shouldn't we hold a naming ceremony for the two drones?"
"Let's go with Valkyrie for the low-spec and Royal Wingman for the high-spec. If the Air Force decides on different names later, we can change them accordingly."
"Valkyrie... Royal Wingman. That sounds good."
"President Jo, remember that Valkyrie and Royal Wingman are classified projects. Always be mindful of security."
"Understood. We are assembling them in a separate facility and are paying close attention to security."
Starlink Aviation and Defense began increasing their workforce to meet the production requirements for the utility helicopters and Switchblade munitions ordered by DAPA, and both companies rose to become the first and second largest in the domestic defense industry by revenue. While Taesik was occupied with the new defense contracts, the President, having returned from a diplomatic tour, touted that the revision of the ROK-U.S. missile guidelines had finally made it possible to develop missiles capable of overwhelming North Korea. However, it was not a complete abolition of the guidelines; they had settled on a range of 500km and a warhead weight of 500kg. Taesik had not gotten exactly what he wanted. In the end, Taesik decided to keep resenting the current President while putting his plans for solid-fuel rocket development on hold to focus on his immediate tasks.
Colonel Go Jun-dong, appointed as the first commander of the Reconstruction Support Group for peace relief activities in South Sudan, frowned under the weight of his immense responsibility. With 211 personnel centered around engineer and medical units, and 70 special forces soldiers dispatched for security, he felt the shortage of manpower due to the rebels active in every corner of the region. The Bor base, where they were stationed, hosted troops from Nepal, India, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka, all working under the UN for peacekeeping and reconstruction.
Upon arriving in South Sudan, Colonel Go had expected the necessary engineering equipment, medical supplies, rifles, and ammunition to arrive all at once. However, the first batch of ammunition was insufficient, forcing them to borrow supplies from the U.S. and Japanese contingents dispatched to the UN force, which led to a media firestorm back home.
"Commander, given the local situation, borrowing ammunition from the U.S. and Japan wasn't a mistake, was it? It was a choice made to protect the Reconstruction Support Group, so please set your mind at ease," the Chief of Staff said.
"Chief of Staff! I know that. But Japan and we have never had a good relationship historically, and Japanese politicians used the fact that they provided ammunition for political gain. The domestic media blowing it out of proportion is what bothers me."
"The ammunition needed from Korea will arrive shortly. As soon as it does, we will immediately return what we borrowed from the Japanese forces."
"Did they say if they're sending the Switchblade units along with the ammunition?"
"Yes. Perhaps because of the media, the Ministry of National Defense decided to send all the items we requested for support."
"The Indian and Nepalese troops are in charge of base defense, but make sure to strengthen our own perimeter security as well! Especially when going out on reconstruction operations, reinforce the protection for the engineer and medical units!"
After disseminating the precautions to his operations staff and commanders, Colonel Go reviewed the reconstruction operation plan for the day once more. A few days later, when the ammunition arrived via transport from Korea, Colonel Go immediately returned the borrowed supplies to the Japanese forces and reported the fact to the Ministry of National Defense. Korea had sent an official document stating they would provide support immediately if needed, unlike before, but considering the local situation, it took over three weeks for the supplies to arrive, making him envious of the efficient supply system of the U.S. military.
During the planned reconstruction and medical activities, the Reconstruction Support Group had faced no major incidents, so Colonel Go was performing his duties as usual. Just as he was finishing his day and preparing to go to sleep, the sudden ringing of the satellite phone in the operations headquarters made him tense. Only the Ministry of National Defense and Koreans in South Sudan knew the number for the operational satellite phone, so he realized instinctively that something had happened. The operations officer immediately answered the phone.
"Loyalty. This is Major Lee Ho-chan of the Hanbit Unit. Yes...? Understood. We will provide support immediately."
"What is it...?"
"A group presumed to be rebels has infiltrated the Yellow Umbrella Children's Foundation. They heard the sound of locals helping the foundation being assaulted, and the Koreans are currently hiding inside and have locked the doors..."
The moment the operations officer finished his report, mortar shells fell on the base where the UN forces were stationed, followed by explosions. Colonel Go ran outside, relieved to see that the mortars had landed on the Japanese side, not the Korean side, and immediately issued an order.
"Send the 5-minute standby team to the Yellow Umbrella, and the rest of you, move to base defense!"
Colonel Go, knowing that Koreans were under attack, instructed Major Lee Ho-chan, whom he trusted most, to lead the 5-minute standby team, while he himself took charge of base defense. Upon the order, the standby team rushed out and boarded their trucks, while the remaining troops grabbed their rifles and ammunition and deployed to their assigned sectors. As Major Lee Ho-chan's team attempted to exit the base, the Nepalese and Indian troops in charge of outer perimeter defense blocked their path.
"Rebels are currently attacking the base, so it is impossible to go outside. Mortar attacks are ongoing," the Indian commander said.
"That won't do. Koreans in downtown Bor are under attack right now."
"If we open the gate now, the rebels could infiltrate. It is impossible."
When the Indian commander blocked the team, Major Lee immediately radioed Colonel Go using the P96K radio worn by the team.
"Commander! The Indian commander in charge of base defense says he cannot open the gate because of the mortar attacks."
"Hmm... ask him if he can open the gate if we eliminate the source of the mortar fire!"
Major Lee immediately approached the Indian commander and confirmed the contents of Colonel Go's instruction.
"He says it is possible if the external attacks cease."
"Wait a moment!" Colonel Go ordered an officer nearby.
"Mortar attacks are ongoing in front of the Bor base gate. Find the origin of the attack and eliminate the rebels immediately!"
Sergeant Park Kyung-pil of the Special Forces, having received the order, loaded the newly supplied Switchblade into its canister and fired it. With a 'pop,' the Switchblade launched, and he began searching for the mortar position using the electro-optical camera while operating the control terminal. He had heard that this Switchblade was an upgraded version of what the unit usually operated, and as he actually used it, he realized immediately what had been improved.
As the electro-optical camera illuminated the ground, every person within the camera's angle was marked with a red box, making it easy to identify them. As the Switchblade cleared the base, the countless red boxes disappeared, and it flew over the area in front of the gate to search for the mortar. For a faster search, Sergeant Park increased the altitude of the Switchblade, and two people were discovered on the side of the road about 3km from the base.
Colonel Go, who was watching the terminal together, said, "There's something next to the road there. Lower the altitude!"
Sergeant Park lowered the altitude, and the infrared mode of the electro-optical camera displayed two people and the shape of a mortar heated by the firing.
"Found it! It's definitely the rebels."
Colonel Go, seeing the mortar shape and the rebels presumed to be operating it, immediately issued an order.
"Press the self-destruct switch now!"
Sergeant Park pressed the self-destruct switch, and the Switchblade dove into the area marked with the red box. The red box rushed closer in an instant, followed by an explosion, and the terminal began to display a gray screen.
"Major Lee! We've eliminated the rebels outside the gate. Move out immediately!"
Major Lee informed the Indian commander that the Korean forces had eliminated the rebels and requested that the gate be opened. The Indian commander, relieved that there were no more mortar attacks, opened the gate, and Major Lee boarded the truck and moved quickly to the building housing the Yellow Umbrella Children's Foundation. Major Lee, knowing that a quiet approach might lead to an engagement, ordered the soldier driving the truck.
"Turn on the siren!"
The soldier driving the truck flipped the siren switch on the dashboard, and the siren mounted on the top of the truck began to emit a loud noise along with flashing lights. Perhaps hearing the siren as they approached the building, rebels armed with rifles emerged and, seeing the approaching truck, began to flee in the opposite direction. Major Lee, along with the 5-minute standby team that had dismounted, began to approach the front of the building.
Working in pairs, they checked the inside through doors and windows. Seeing no movement inside, Major Lee entered first.
"Clear!"
The Yellow Umbrella building was a place they visited often, so the structure was familiar. He quickly checked each room for danger as he moved deeper inside. He checked every room, but seeing that the three Koreans were nowhere to be seen, Major Lee grew tense and grabbed the handle of the last remaining bathroom door, turning it slowly. The handle wouldn't turn, as if the latch was engaged. Fearing that firing at the door might injure the people inside, Major Lee hid his body to the side of the door and called out in a quiet voice.
"This is the Reconstruction Support Group."
At Major Lee's voice, there was a sound from inside, and the latch of the door clicked open.