ID :
184313
Wed, 05/25/2011 - 11:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/184313
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S. Korean troops to get new combat boots from November
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean soldiers could start marching in new, lighter combat boots that provide better fit and durability than the current footwear from late November, the defense ministry said Wednesday.
The new combat boot, which will be some 130 grams lighter than the current boot, will be made of a smooth, breathable, water-resistant leather, ministry officials said.
About 15 footwear makers are invited to participate in a two-phase competition that begins in September to craft the new combat boot. The ministry, for the first time, will allow the winner to source some parts of the new boot from an overseas plant, a move that could allow a big company to benefit from the procurement.
"Big companies which have overseas plants are expected to join the competition and the move is aimed at issuing high-quality combat boots to soldiers," a ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.
The ministry earmarked a budget of 17.4 billion won (US$15.8 million) for this year to buy 200,000 pairs of the new boots by November, the official said.
All able-bodied men must serve at least two years in South Korea's 650,000-member military, which faces North Korea's 1.1 million-strong armed forces across a heavily guarded border.
Last year, the ministry came under fire for lax oversight in defective combat boots and recalled thousands of pairs.
The new combat boot, which will be some 130 grams lighter than the current boot, will be made of a smooth, breathable, water-resistant leather, ministry officials said.
About 15 footwear makers are invited to participate in a two-phase competition that begins in September to craft the new combat boot. The ministry, for the first time, will allow the winner to source some parts of the new boot from an overseas plant, a move that could allow a big company to benefit from the procurement.
"Big companies which have overseas plants are expected to join the competition and the move is aimed at issuing high-quality combat boots to soldiers," a ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.
The ministry earmarked a budget of 17.4 billion won (US$15.8 million) for this year to buy 200,000 pairs of the new boots by November, the official said.
All able-bodied men must serve at least two years in South Korea's 650,000-member military, which faces North Korea's 1.1 million-strong armed forces across a heavily guarded border.
Last year, the ministry came under fire for lax oversight in defective combat boots and recalled thousands of pairs.
