The Ministry of Interior and Safety noted on the 19th that it has decided to promote the development of a high-performance forest fire-fighting vehicle equipped with a 6,000-liter (L) water tank in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The development of this forest fire-fighting vehicle reflects the demands in the field related to forest fire response.
The Ministry of Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Science and ICT have already localized a medium-sized forest fire response vehicle with a water capacity of 2,020 liters. The Korea Forest Service is currently promoting the introduction of 64 multipurpose forest fire-fighting vehicles, including a supplementary budget this year.
However, there have been observations in the field that forest fires are becoming increasingly large due to recent climate change. In response, the two ministries are pursuing the localization of high-performance forest fire-fighting vehicles, which are currently entirely dependent on imports. The plan is to localize both the chassis and equipment by modifying military vehicles. The water capacity will be 6,000 L, with the goal of developing it at double the water capacity of the KA-32 (Kamov) forest fire-fighting helicopter.
This project will receive research and development funding of around 900 million won from the Ministry of Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Science and ICT over two years. The selection contest for research institutions to carry out the project will be held in June.
Jung Taek-ryeol, the Public Convergence Research Policy Director of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "We aim to quickly promote research and development that reflects the demands of forest fire response in the field and apply the results back at the scene to enhance our country's forest fire response capabilities."
SuNam, the Director of the Social Disaster Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Interior and Safety, said, "This research is expected to improve the efficiency of forest fire-fighting and contribute to protecting the lives of citizens."