SM Bexel supplies $14.7 mn lithium ampoule batteries to KDI

SM Bexel Co., the battery manufacturing arm of South Korea's SM Group, announced on Tuesday that it signed a supply contract worth 20 billion won ($14.7 million) with defense contractor Korea Defense Industry Co. for lithium ampoule batteries used in defense applications.

The contract period runs until the end of next year.

SM Bexel explained the latest contract was achieved five months after the company began full-scale operation of its ampoule battery production line, following a large-scale facility investment totaling 8 billion won ($5.87 million) last year.

Lithium ampoule batteries for defense applications are ultra-small batteries about 5 mm in size and key components of the K-defense weapon system, mounted on 230 mm multiple launch rocket systems to perform the self-destruct function of unexploded ordnance.

They help minimize ammunition loss and prevent unexploded ordnance, thus protecting friendly forces and civilians from potential secondary damage.

Write to Woo-Sub Kim at duter@hankyung.com