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Cameroon Defense Minister visits Huneed, signaling 'green light' for defense network modernization project

[비즈한국] It has been confirmed that the Minister of Defense of Cameroon visited the domestic defense company Huneed005870 Technologies (Huneed) to discuss exports related to Cameroon’s defense network modernization project. It is predicted that the contract will be finalized next year following a local field survey and subsequent negotiations in Cameroon.

Cameroon Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo visited South Korea on the 11th to hold talks with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. It is reported that during the first-ever defense ministerial meeting between South Korea and Cameroon, the two ministers discussed ways to expand defense cooperation, including national information and communication network projects, to strengthen Cameroon's defense capabilities.

Following the meeting, the Cameroonian Defense Minister visited Huneed to receive a briefing on the national information and communication network project and toured its production facilities. It is known that defense officials from both countries discussed the necessity of on-site surveys and specific contract negotiations as preliminary measures for the project.

Huneed, a company specializing in defense and aerospace, has been a key supplier of tactical communication network equipment for the South Korean military, having established wireless communication networks within the armed forces. Recently, it successfully developed MANET (Mobile Ad-hoc Network) and FANET (Flying Ad-hoc Network) modules that can be mounted on mobile platforms such as drones and robots—a first in Korea. Based on these achievements, the company is actively pursuing exports in the military communications sector. Discussions are underway regarding the application of Huneed’s MANET solutions to the Cameroonian Ministry of Defense’s network modernization project.

Currently, South Korea is in intense competition with advanced nations such as China, Russia, and Israel to win the contract for Cameroon's defense information and communication network. Experts noted that since Cameroon has already selected the South Korean security firm Tilon456930 as the preferred bidder, subsequent projects are likely to favor South Korean companies as well. Previously, Cameroon selected Tilon as the preferred bidder for the defense information and communication network project in December 2022 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in May of last year.

Kim Min-seok, a member of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, explained, "Given the nature of telecommunications projects, 'security' is the most critical element, and the fact that we have already secured that portion is significant. Since the security contract has already been signed, there is a high probability that follow-up projects, including infrastructure construction and equipment supply, will also proceed successfully."

If a domestic defense firm secures the contract for Cameroon's defense network modernization project, it is expected to significantly contribute to the diversification of export countries and items. This is because the scope of South Korea's defense exports, which is currently concentrated on specific weapon systems, could expand to include 'tactical communication systems.' Moreover, with the South Korean defense industry recently gaining momentum in Europe and the Middle East, the project could serve as a springboard for expanding export frontiers into Africa. Successfully completing the modernization of Cameroon's defense information system could open business opportunities across 21 Francophone countries in Africa.

Kim Wang-kyung, CEO of Huneed, stated, "To win the Cameroon defense network modernization project, competent South Korean companies are cooperating with Huneed serving as the system integrator," adding, "As there are many variables, this is a time when the cooperation and support of the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, as well as the unity of South Korean consortium members, are especially required."