Defense Acquisition Program Administration
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA, Korean: 방위사업청) is a central administrative agency of the South Korean Ministry of National Defense. It was founded on 1 January 2006 as part of a comprehensive reform of defense acquisition, including the introduction and development of military equipment. The DAPA has exclusive authority to plan and budget defense development and procurement programs for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and to enact Korean Defense Specifications (KDS). Sub-agencies of DAPA include the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) responsible for defense development and Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) responsible for defense improvement programs and defense quality certification tests.
| 방위사업청 | |
.svg) Emblem of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 January 2006 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of South Korea |
| Headquarters | Building #3,4, Government Complex-Gwacheon, 47, Gwanmun-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea 37°25′31″N 126°59′01″E / 37.4253371°N 126.9836011°E |
| Employees | 1,638 (2023)[1] |
| Annual budget | ₩16.91 trillion US$12.4 billion (2023)[4] |
| Agency executives | |
| Parent department | Ministry of National Defense |
| Child agencies | |
| Website | Official DAPA website in English Official DAPA website in Korean |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 방위사업청 |
| Hanja | 防衛事業廳 |
| RR | Bangwi saeopcheong |
| MR | Pangwi saŏpch'ŏng |
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA, Korean: 방위사업청) is a central administrative agency of the South Korean Ministry of National Defense. It was founded on 1 January 2006 as part of a comprehensive reform of defense acquisition, including the introduction and development of military equipment.[5][6][7] The DAPA has exclusive authority to plan and budget defense development and procurement programs for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and to enact Korean Defense Specifications (KDS). Sub-agencies of DAPA include the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) responsible for defense development and Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) responsible for defense improvement programs and defense quality certification tests.[8][9]
DAPA's founding background
[edit]In South Korea, the acquisition and procurement of arms were an important area that required a huge budget and determined national security. South Korea has also made several improvements in the Ministry of National Defense to reform its defense acquisition project in the process of strengthening its defense capabilities. Based on the evaluation results of the Yulgok project, which was a plan to reinforce and modernize the South Korean military, the Ministry of National Defense established an acquisition office in January 1999 by integrating the work related to the introduction of arms into one department.[5][6]
However, as corruption scandals related to the introduction and development of arms continued, efforts to improve the defense procurement system resumed after the inauguration of President Roh Moo-hyun's government. In late December 2003 and late January of the following year, President Roh Moo-hyun ordered improvements to the defense acquisition program, and in early March 2004, the Prime Minister's Office established the Defense Acquisition System Improvement Committee. After that, in early August 2005, a preparatory committee was established to improve the defense acquisition, and on 1 January 2006, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration was founded after reorganization, enactment, and manpower securing.[5][6]
Agencies
[edit]Ministers
[edit]| Name | Took office | Left office | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Jung-il (김정일) | January 1, 2006 | July 25, 2006 | 29th Korea Military Academy graduated, Former Korean Army Major General |
| Lee Sun-hee (이선희) | August 9, 2006 | March 7, 2008 | 18th Korea Air Force Academy graduated, Former Korean Air Force Brigadier General |
| Yang Chi-gyu (양치규) | March 8, 2008 | January 19, 2009 | 29th Korea Military Academy graduated, Former Korean Army Major General |
| Byeon Moo-geun (변무근) | January 20, 2009 | August 16, 2010 | 24th Korea Naval Academy graduated, Former Korean Navy Lieutenant General |
| Jang Soo-man (장수만) | August 16, 2010 | February 16, 2011 | Passed the 15th Korean Fifth Grade Public Service Examination |
| Noh Dae-lae (노대래) | March 18, 2011 | March 15, 2013 | Passed the 23rd Korean Fifth Grade Public Service Examination, 17th Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission |
| Lee Yong-geol (이용걸) | April 15, 2013 | November 18, 2014 | Passed the 23rd Korean Fifth Grade Public Service Examination |
| Jang Myeong-jin (장명진) | November 19, 2014 | July 19, 2017 | 12th Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) graduated, Former ADD researcher |
| Jeon Je-guk (전제국) | August 7, 2017[11] | August 30, 2018 | Passed the 22nd Korean Fifth Grade Public Service Examination |
| Wang Jung-hong (왕정홍) | August 31, 2018[12] | December 24, 2020 | Passed the 29th Korean Fifth Grade Public Service Examination |
| Kang Eun-ho (강은호) | December 25, 2020 | June 22, 2022 | Passed the 33rd Korean Fifth Grade Public Service Examination, Former Korean Army Lieutenant |
| Eom Dong-hwan (엄동환) | June 23, 2022 | February 18, 2024 | 44th Korea Military Academy graduated, Former Korean Army Brigadier General |
| Seok Jong-gun (석종건) | February 19, 2024 | November 16, 2025 | 45th Korea Military Academy graduated, Former Korean Army Major General |
| Lee Yong-cheol (이용철) | November 17, 2025 | Incumbent | First DAPA Vice Minister |
Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee
[edit]In order to deliberate upon and coordinate major policies, management of financial resources and other purposes for the promotion of defense acquisition programs, the Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee was placed under the control of the Minister of National Defense.[13] Through the Committee, with the minister of National Defense as chairman, project promotion methods and model decisions are discussed and adjusted and defense capacity improvement projects are implemented.
Major procurement programs
[edit]DAPA currently manages 1064 items of variety defense procurement programs.[14] Examples of current and past procurement programs include:[15]
Infantry weapon
[edit]- K1 selective-fire assault rifle
- K2 assault rifle
- K3 light machine gun
- K4 automatic grenade launcher
- K5 pistol
- K6 heavy machine gun
- K7 silenced submachine gun
- K13 carbine, formerly STC-16 (Science & Technology Carbine-16)
- K14 sniper rifle
- K15 light machine gun
- K16 general-purpose machine gun, formerly S&T Motiv K12
Missile systems
[edit]Source:[16]
- Hycore hypersonic cruise missile system
- Bigung (Poniard) 2.75-inch in diameter guided rocket system
- K136 Kooryong 36 extended multiple rocket launcher system
- Biryong (Flying Dragon) short range ship-to-ship guided weapon system based on K136
- K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)
- Hyungung (AT-1K Raybolt) medium range infantry missile system
- Cheongeom (Taipers) air-to-ground guided missile system
- Hongsangeo (Red Shark) anti-submarine rocket system
- Haeseong-I (Sea Star) ROK Navy's main subsonic anti-ship cruise missile system
- Haeseong-II (SSM-710K) enhanced cruise missile system
- Haeseong-III (SSM-750K) enhanced cruise missile system
- Haeseong-II (SSM-710K) enhanced cruise missile system
- Korean supersonic anti-ship cruise missile system
- Haeryong (Sea Dragon) tactical ship-launched land attack missile based on the Haeseong I
- Ure (KTSSM) short-range tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile system
- Hyunmoo ballistic missile system
Missile defense systems
[edit]Source:[17]
- M-SAM medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon system based on technology from the 9M96 missile used on S-350E and S-400 missile systems
- Cheongung-II enhanced medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon system
- Haegung (K-SAAM) surface-to-air anti missile system
- Cheonma (Pegasus) short-range surface-to-air missile system
- Shingung (KP-SAM) shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile
- L-SAM multi-layered missile defense system
Ground weapon systems
[edit]Source:[18]
- KH178 105 mm towed howitzer
- KH179 155 mm towed howitzer
- K105A1 (EVO-105) 105 mm wheeled self-propelled artillery
- K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
- K2 Black Panther main battle tank
- K131 light utility vehicle
- K151 military light utility vehicle
- K311 logistics and utility vehicle
- K511 logistics and utility vehicle
- K711 logistics and utility vehicle
- K200 infantry fighting vehicle
- K21 infantry fighting vehicle
- K21-105 light tank
- AS21 (Redback) infantry fighting vehicle
- KW1 Scorpion (White Tiger) wheeled armoured personnel carrier
- Biho (K30) twin 30 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft guns
- Cheonho (KA2) twin 30 mm wheeled self-propelled anti-aircraft guns
- Barracuda 4x4 armored wheeled vehicle
- Tigon 6x6 armored wheeled vehicle
- Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle-II (KAAV-2)
- Unmanned Surveillance Vehicle
- K-NBC reconnaissance vehicle
- High energy laser
Maritime and underwater weapon systems
[edit]Source:[19]
- Harbor Underwater Surveillance System (HUSS)
- Towed Array Sonar System (TASS)
- Torpedo Acoustic Counter Measure (TACM)
- FFG sonar system
- KDX-III batch-II integrated sonar system
- Jangbogo-III class (KSS-III) batch-I combat system
- Jangbogo-III class (KSS-III) batch-I sonar system
- Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) combat system
- Patrol Killer Guided (PKG) missile-class combat system
- Ulsan-Class (FF) batch-I combat system
- Ulsan-Class (FF) batch-III combat system
- Dolgorae (Dolphin) midget submarine
- Multi-Mission Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MMUSV)
- Cheongsangeo (Blue Shark) light anti-submarine torpedo
- Baeksangeo (White Shark) heavy anti-submarine torpedo
- Beomsangeo (Tiger Shark) heavy anti-submarine torpedo
Aircraft and UAV systems
[edit]Source:[20]
- KAI KF-21 Boramae 4.5 generation fighter aircraft
- KAI T-50 Golden Eagle family of supersonic advanced trainers and multirole light fighters, including the following variants:
- T-50 (advanced trainer version)
- TA-50 (lead-in fighter trainer and light attack version)
- FA-50 (multirole fighter all-weather version)
- T-50B (aerobatic specialized T-50 version for the ROKAF's aerobatic display team, the Black Eagles)
- KAI KUH-1 Surion medium transport helicopter
- KAI KT-1 Woongbi basic training aircraft
- KA-1 tactical control aircraft
- KGGB (Korean Guided GPS Bomb) precision guided glide bomb
- KAI RQ-101 Songgolmae corps level reconnaissance UAV
- KAI NCUAV next-generation corps level reconnaissance UAV
- Korean Air KUS-FS multipurpose medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle
- KAI LAH light armed helicopter
- Blackout bomb
Surveillance and reconnaissance systems
[edit]Source:[21]
- Radar for land systems
- KF-21 Active electronically scanned array (AESA) Radar
- Ulsan-Class (FF) batch-I AESA Radar
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for KUS-FS
- Korean Commander's Panoramic Sight (KCPS) for K1A1
- Korean Gunner's Primary Sight (KGPS) for K2 Black Panther
- Sight system for K21 infantry fighting vehicle
- Thermal Observation Device (TOD)
- Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS) for PKG combat system
- Infrared Search and Track (IRST) for shipborne systems
- Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system for KUH-1
- Tactical Electro-Optical and Infrared reconnaissance system (Tac-EO/IR)
- Electro-Optical and Infrared system for KUS-FS MUAV
- Electro-Optical and Infrared system for corps level reconnaissance UAV-II
- Infrared camera for satellites
- Multi-sensor and multi-source imagery fusion system
Command and control and information warfare systems
[edit]Source:[22]
- Tactical Information Communications Network (TICN)
- Joint Tactical Data Link System (JTDLS)
- Air Defense Command Control and Alert (ADC2A) system
- Airborne ELINT pod system
- Tactical communication Electronic Warfare (EW) system-II (TLQ-200K)
- Airborne Electronic Countermeasure (ECM) pod system (ALQ-200)
- Shipboard electronic warfare system (SLQ-200K)
- Advanced SIGINT aircraft system
Space technologies
[edit]Source:[23]
- Reconnaissance space-based surveillance and reconnaissance system
- Small satellite system
- Military satellite communication system-I
- Military satellite communication system-II
Core technologies
[edit]Source:[24]
- Seeker
- Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR)
- Optical Phased Array-Based LADAR
- Navigation technology
- Micromachined inertial sensors
- Fibre-Optic Gyroscope (FOG)
- Hemispherical Resonator Gyroscope (HRG)
- Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG)
- Star tracker
- Terrain referenced navigation
- Ground-Based Radio System (GRNS)
- Anti-jamming technology
- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Jamming
- Rocket propulsion
- Ramjet propulsion
- Engine Technology (subsonic gas Turbine and high speed) for missiles and UAV
- Defense materials
- Fuel cells and special batteries
- underwater acoustic sensor
- Hyperspectral image equipment
- EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) technology
- Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM)
- High Energy Material (HEM)
- Ballistic protection technology
- Precision-guided munition
- Railgun
- Dual barrel air-burst technology for XK13 25 mm OCSW, Cancelled in 2013.
- Warrior platform
- AI-based autonomy technology
- Autonomous tunnel exploration robot
- Rescue robot
- Tailless demonstrator UAV for KUS-FC unmanned combat aerial vehicle
- Unmanned Combat Compound Rotorcraft (UCCR)
- Anti-Submarine Warfare Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (ASWUUV)
- Supercavitating torpedo
- Cyber security technologies
- Verification of chemical warfare agents
- Detoxification technology
Future technologies
[edit]Source:[25]
- Artificial intelligence
- Blockchain
- Internet of Military Things (IoMT)
- Quantum technology
- Photonic radar technology
- Atomic technology
- Terahertz technology
- Perovskite solar cell
- Self-generated electrostatic energy
- Synthetic biology
- Meta-material for stealth technology
- Biomimetic robot
- Swarming unmanned system technology
- Boost phase interceptor
- Counter long-range artillery interceptor system
- Intelligent self-learning-based autonomous jamming
- Centralized sequential kill-chain
Other
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Jung Rae-soo (3 July 2023). "방위사업청, 대전시대 개막…직원 238명 1차 이전 완료". dynews. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Minister". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ "Vice Minister". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Baek Jae-ok (9 March 2023). "2023년 국방예산 분석 및 정책 제언". Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023. p. 3
- ^ a b c "ABOUT DAPA". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "방위사업청(防衛事業廳)". Academy of Korean Studies. 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
- ^ Government Organization Act (Article 33)
- ^ "DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAM ACT". Korea Legislation Research Institute. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "방위사업청과 그 소속기관 직제". Korea Ministry of Government Legislation. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "역대청장". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Moon names new DAPA chief in effort to curb corruption". Korea JoongAng Daily. August 8, 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- ^ Grevatt, Jon (September 3, 2018). "South Korea's DAPA announces new leadership". Jane's. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- ^ Defense Acquisition Program Act (Article 9)
- ^ "Products". Korea Defense Industry Association. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "Korea Defense Products Guide". Korea Defense Industry Association. February 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Missile Systems". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-25.
- ^ "Missile Defense Systems". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Ground Weapon Systems". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Maritime/Underwater Weapon Systems". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Aircraft and UAV Systems". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Command and Control/Information Warfare Systems". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Space Technologies". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-25.
- ^ "Core Technologies". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Future Technologies". Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.
External links
[edit]
- "국가법령정보센터". Law.go.kr. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
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