South Korea is moving ahead with three key programmes discussed during the 173rd Defense Acquisition Program Committee meeting held in late February.

The programmes include the KOREA destroyer (KDDX) project, F-35A avionics upgrades, and the development of ballistic correction fuses for extended-range 155 mm ammunition, cumulatively worth approximately 9.5 trillion won (approximately $7.12 billion).

The Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) KOREA Destroyer (KDDX) Project aims to build six domestic AEGIS destroyers and the latest meeting approved the Detailed Design and Leading Ship Construction Basic Plan. This paves the way for selecting a shipyard for the programme amongst competing firms. The KDDX will serve as the flagship of the ROKN fleet and feature a domestically developed Aegis-type combat system, integrated mast, and an integrated electric propulsion (IEP) system designed to reduce crew requirements through extensive automation. All weapons on KDDX destroyers will be domestically produced.

The KDDX will form the sea-based component of Korea’s three-axis BMD system to deter and respond to evolving North Korean nuclear, missile, and underwater threats. The latest iteration of the programme, underway since 2020, is slated to conclude in 2036. The programme cost is estimated at seven trillion won (approximately US$5.25 billion).

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) will undertake an 'F-35A Performance Upgrade Project'. The upgrade is aimed at enhancing the aircraft’s joint operations capabilities and improve the ease of follow-on logistics support. The latest meeting approved changed requirements and the latest development configurations. The upgrade effort will be targeted at enhancing the performance of the F-35A’s avionics equipment. ROKAF F-35As represent a key capability within the ‘Kill Chain’ of the Korean 3-axis BMD system. The upgrade effort is expected to conclude in 2039 with the programme cost estimated at 898.1 billion won (approximately $675 million).

The Republic of Korea Army is pursuing a Ballistic Correction Fuzes Project and the Defense Acquisition Committee has now approved the basic plan for system development, reflecting the results of the project feasibility study. The new ballistic correction fuzes will feature guidance functions to improve the accuracy of 155mm extended-range ammunition. The improved accuracy of the extended-range artillery rounds will increase their effectiveness against distant targets and also reduce the number of rounds required to destroy a target. The new ballistic correction fuses with guidance functions will also be available with 155mm extended-range rounds for export. The project period is from 2026 to 2035.