Yoon Chairs Defense Innovation Committee... Calls for Defense Innovation to Reduce Budget

President Yoon Emphasizes 'Defense Innovation = Economic Growth' Policy
Budget Savings and Economic Synergy Expected Through Weapon Acquisition System Efficiency
1st and 2nd Meetings Discuss Operating System and North Korea Response Capability Improvements

The government is set to reduce the budget through the efficiency of the weapons acquisition system. Instead of securing advanced forces based on the Fourth Industrial Revolution's science and technology in a timely manner, the focus is on adjusting weaponization projects that are not immediately urgent. The plan also aims to accelerate budget savings through the localization of weapon components and maximize economic synergy through cooperation between the military and civilian sectors.

According to the Presidential Office on the 20th, President Yoon will preside over the third meeting of the Defense Innovation Committee at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul that afternoon. The Defense Innovation Committee is an organization that reviews and coordinates major policies and tasks of the Ministry of National Defense's 'Defense Innovation 4.0 Basic Plan,' examining inter-ministerial policy coordination, legislation and amendment, and budget management.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Previously, in the first and second meetings, President Yoon focused solely on a major reform of the defense operation system, improving defense capabilities against North Korean threats, and revising laws and systems for the introduction of new technologies. This was to bring about the reorganization of the defense structure and optimization of the military command and control system in line with the new government's policy direction.

In the third meeting, the government’s policy of 'Defense Innovation = Economic Value Creation' is expected to be prominently revealed. President Yoon is also scheduled to instruct relevant ministries and agencies on the 'Efficiency Plan for the Weapons Acquisition System' during the meeting, aiming to reduce the budget and thereby drive economic growth in the mid to long term. A government official explained, "While the immediate budget for strengthening advanced forces will increase, in the mid to long term, it will also contribute to economic growth through budget savings."

Specifically, the plan is expected to address budget reduction by localizing weapon system components that were previously dependent on overseas imports. This is a promising aspect for fostering small and medium-sized enterprises in the defense industry, as component localization can save costs not only in additional weapon procurement but also in repair systems, according to the official.

Budget savings through technological cooperation between the military and civilian sectors are also anticipated. Through projects such as dual-use technology development (Spin-up), utilization of civilian technology in defense (Spin-on), and application of defense technology in civilian sectors (Spin-off), the 'efficiency of the weapons acquisition system' can be achieved through mutual technology transfer.

Earlier, on the last day of his summer vacation in August, President Yoon presided over the second meeting of the Defense Innovation Committee and ordered a 'bold adjustment' of weapon system weaponization projects. In line with this policy, the Ministry of National Defense also announced the resource allocation plan for the 2024-2028 Defense Mid-term Plan. As a result of a comprehensive review of the military’s force enhancement plans, conventional force enhancement projects lacking urgency among the planned projects were boldly excluded from the mid-term plan and will be reconsidered from scratch.

This includes the 'Defense Innovation 4.0 Basic Plan,' which deploys artificial intelligence (AI) technology across all weapon fields. It also encompasses plans to reestablish military strategies and operational concepts in preparation for future security environments such as a sharp decline in manpower resources. President Yoon has repeatedly emphasized the need for rational and efficient resource allocation, stating, "The military force enhancement plan must also be adjusted according to these strategies and operational execution concepts."

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