Accelerating the Korean 3-Axis System Project

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A total of 197 defense capability improvement projects will be promoted to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, including the advancement of the Korean-style 3-axis system.

On the 1st, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reported to the National Assembly's National Defense Committee that there are 81 research and development projects such as the Long-range Surface-to-Air Guided Missile (L-SAM), 50 mass production projects including tactical surface-to-surface guided missiles and Jangbogo-III Batch-II deployment, and 66 procurement projects such as Patriot performance upgrades and maritime patrol aircraft.

DAPA stated that it will advance the 3-axis system consisting of Kill Chain, Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) to deter North Korean provocations and dramatically strengthen response capabilities.

The Kill Chain project includes the '425 Project,' which aims to secure five reconnaissance satellites equipped with electro-optical, infrared, and imaging radar by next year, as well as tactical surface-to-surface guided missiles. KAMD consists of Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar-II, L-SAM, and long-range artillery interception systems, while KMPR includes 230mm multiple launch rocket systems, large-scale attack helicopter-II, and C-130H performance upgrades under DAPA projects. DAPA also announced plans to promote 'Defense R&D 4.0' to enhance research and development outcomes and improve efficiency.

It explained that it will implement a 'High-Medium-Low R&D Strategy' by allocating 20% of the budget to high-risk and high-difficulty technologies, 60% to catch-up core technologies, and 20% to currently needed technologies. For high-level technology development, competitive R&D involving multiple research institutions will be introduced, and the reward system and performance management will be improved to encourage challenging research and development. The 'Defense Technology Innovation Council,' a civilian-led technology planning and advisory expert group, will be advanced as a technology planning cooperation platform that consolidates national R&D capabilities.

National security strategic technologies that require protection and fostering, such as advanced engines, high-capacity batteries, special semiconductors, and new materials, will be supported in the form of 'Defense R&D,' which is exempt from World Trade Organization (WTO) industrial subsidy rules. Additionally, to link civilian innovation with defense R&D, a 'Loonshot Project' that discovers ideas and technologies through civilian competitions will be piloted within this year.

The term 'Loonshot,' from Shabibakal (2020), refers to technologies that innovate the world. This project proceeds through procedures such as military challenge discovery, first-round idea competitions and multiple planning researches, and second-round final research institution selection. DAPA plans to improve the current principle that defense R&D outcomes are state-owned so that developing institutions can also own them, enabling the results to spread to the civilian sector.

To improve the efficiency of weapon system acquisition, a dedicated organization for overseas procurement projects will be established to strengthen negotiation power, create a competitive structure, and analyze overseas companies to maximize national interests. In response to cyber threats, the application of the Korean-style Cybersecurity System (K-RMF), which has enhanced security standards from the weapon system development stage, will be promoted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.