By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
South Korean soldiers will wear high-tech combat headgear equipped with video transmission and global positioning systems by 2014, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday.
``The new headgear is part of the military's program to build sophisticated weapons systems fit for future warfare,'' a ministry official said.
``The development is expected to be completed by 2012 or 2013, and then the Army's combat units will be outfitted with the equipment by 2014 after a year of trial operation.''
The camouflaged helmet will be designed to cover the neck and ears, and can protect from a rifle shot from within 1-2 meters, he said.
The Agency for Defense Development will take charge of developing and combining the communication systems in the helmet, the official added.
In a related move, the Korea Military Academy's research center is developing a bulletproof combat uniform and damp-proof combat boots and aims to make them available by 2010 and 2013, respectively, Army officials said.