Business Overview
The defense sector has recently emerged as a core technology area in South Korea, exemplified by the
"K-Defense" initiative, attracting significant domestic and international attention. Export
performance has also shown remarkable growth, and continued demand is expected based on global
geopolitical trends.
KATEM Co., Ltd. has long worked to secure foundational technologies in the defense component sector.
In particular, the land defense vehicle components sector is a strategic focus, where KATEM has
achieved extensive R&D performance in core components based on Commercial Vehicles technology,
including design, manufacturing, and evaluation of power transmission and brake components.
Key Technologies & Achievements
- 25-ton combat vehicles (armored vehicles): Propeller shafts
- Drive shafts, braking calipers, wheel hubs with integrated braking discs, water jet shafts
- 30-ton military vehicles: Double Cardan type drive shafts
- 5-ton jeeps: Double Cardan type drive shafts
- High-speed Rail (KTX): Safety-set integrated Tripod shafts – development and localization
- High-speed Rail (KTX-Sancheon): Proprietary MSMF-integrated Tripod shafts
- Construction Equipment (excavators): Double Cardan type drive shafts
- Reliability testing experience using Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) facilities
- Design and manufacturing expertise in safety-critical technologies such as the safety-set for KTX high-speed rail vehicles
Vision
Building on accumulated defense and power transmission component technologies, KATEM Co., Ltd. aims
to lead the domestic and international markets for core components in defense and specialized
vehicles.
By providing highly reliable Product to customers worldwide, we strive to emerge as a global Hidden
Champion.
KATEM Co., Ltd. has long worked to secure foundational technologies in the defense component sector. In particular, land defense vehicle components are a strategic focus area, where KATEM has achieved extensive R&D performance in core components based on Commercial Vehicles technology, including design, manufacturing, and evaluation of power transmission and brake components.
KATEM has demonstrated comprehensive R&D and mass-production achievements for key components in 25-ton combat vehicles (armored vehicles), including propeller shafts, drive shafts, braking calipers, wheel hubs with integrated braking discs, and water jet shafts. Additionally, we have secured full-lifecycle proprietary technologies for 30-ton military vehicle drive shafts and 5-ton jeep drive shafts, from design to manufacturing and testing, along with domestic infrastructure for reliability evaluation.
We have substantial experience in the design, manufacturing, and testing of Double Cardan type drive shafts for defense and construction vehicles, which were previously dependent on imports. Using Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) reliability testing facilities and automotive component innovation centers in Jeonbuk and Ulsan, we have accumulated significant know-how in reliability and torsion durability evaluation.
Leveraging this expertise, we have also localized Tripod shafts for KTX high-speed rail vehicles, incorporating safety-set technology to protect critical internal components from excessive external forces. Through collaborative research with the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI), we have developed the proprietary MSMF multi-safety fuse function.
● 25-ton combat vehicles (armored vehicles) – Propeller shaft, Drive shaft, Wheel hub, etc.
● 30-ton military vehicles – Double Cardan type Drive shaft
● 5-ton jeeps – Double Cardan type Drive shaft
● High-speed Rail (KTX) – Safety-set integrated Tripod shaft
● High-speed Rail (KTX-Sancheon) – MSMF-integrated Tripod shaft
● Construction Equipment (excavators) – Double Cardan type Drive shaft