DAPA: "We Will Double Defense Industry Sales in 5 Years"

National Assembly Audit Report... "We will raise the 'Defense Technology Level' to 5th place"
Joint manned-unmanned operations demonstration with AI applied in 5 years

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced plans to expand the defense industry sales scale to 40 trillion won by 2027. This is double the 17.09 trillion won in defense sales recorded in 2020.

On the 13th, during a National Assembly National Defense Committee audit held at the DAPA office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, DAPA reported that it has set goals to foster the defense industry, raising the 'defense technology level' from 9th place globally last year to 5th place, and to shorten the weapon system acquisition period from 12 years to 7 years. DAPA also presented a blueprint to demonstrate manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) with artificial intelligence (AI) applied within five years and to double the defense industry scale compared to 2020.

According to the report, DAPA plans to boldly improve the acquisition system by introducing a 'requirements-based acquisition fast track' system, referencing the U.S. rapid acquisition system, to enable new technologies and weapons to be operationalized within five years. To enhance negotiation power in overseas procurement projects, a dedicated organization will be established. AI-based MUM-T technology was identified as a priority for rapid operationalization. Technologies proposed include unmanned K-9 turret operation on land, autonomous driving and deployment, combined manned-unmanned firing, maritime swarm combat technology using manned and unmanned vessels, and integrated operation technology for ship-launched suicide drones. Additionally, semi-autonomous MUM-T technology involving complex operations between manned tactical aircraft and low-observable unmanned wingmen, performing multipurpose missions (combat, surveillance, reconnaissance) in the air, is targeted for demonstration by 2027, with plans for rapid operationalization of these technologies.

The report also prominently covered the progress of projects responding to North Korean nuclear and missile threats. DAPA is proceeding normally with the 'Korean 3-Axis System' projects, including Project 425 (securing five reconnaissance satellites equipped with video radar, electro-optical, and infrared radar by next year), Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar-II, long-range surface-to-air guided weapons, long-range artillery interception systems, large transport helicopter-II, and C-130H performance upgrades, as well as defense space capability enhancement projects such as microsatellite systems and space weather forecasting systems. Seven projects, including the second phase of mine countermeasure vessels, multi-source image fusion systems, and the portable surface-to-air guided weapon Shingung, have been or are expected to be operationalized this year.

To foster defense acquisition as a national strategic industry, DAPA plans to establish a defense technology innovation fund and begin investments in the first half of next year, and will select 100 defense innovation companies next month.

In his remarks during the audit, DAPA Administrator Eom Dong-hwan emphasized, "We will actively promote the early establishment of the Korean 3-Axis System to respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats, innovate defense research and development (R&D), improve acquisition processes for rapid operationalization, and develop defense acquisition into a national strategic industry to advance defense acquisition innovatively."

Administrator Eom added, "Given recent global security crises such as the Ukraine situation and the rapidly changing Fourth Industrial Revolution era, the role and responsibility of DAPA are immense. We will do our best to contribute to building a robust defense that leads the future through rapid operationalization of advanced weapon systems and fostering the global defense industry."

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