Latest news with #DefenseAcquisitionProgramAdministration
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
S. Korea pitches submarines, howitzers, trainer jets at Canadian defense exhibition
A senior arms agency official visited a Canadian defense exhibition last week for talks on possible exports of South Korean submarines, trainer jets and self-propelled howitzers, the state arms procurement agency said Monday. During his three-day visit to Ottawa from Tuesday, Kang Hwan-seug, vice minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, met Judith Bennett, Canada's associate assistant deputy defense minister of materiel, on the sidelines of the CANSEC defense exhibition to brief her on the advantages of South Korea's submarines. Canada is seeking to acquire new conventionally powered submarines to replace its aging vessels, with South Korean shipbuilders competing for the project reportedly worth around $20 billion. Kang also met other officials at the event and pitched the K-9 self-propelled howitzer for the Canadian Army's modernization plan and the T-50 trainer jet for the Royal Canadian Air Force's pilot training program, according to DAPA. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Arms agency selects key development projects for defense chips
The state arms procurement agency has designated five key projects aimed at developing semiconductor technologies for defense manufacturing, officials said Monday, as South Korea seeks to bolster its independent capabilities to build chips for military systems. The projects include the development of semiconductors for small satellites as well as module platforms for Synthetic Aperture Radar on drones and Active Electronically Scanned Array radars, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. DAPA said the projects were selected based on their feasibility and technological trends, adding it plans to launch four of the five projects this year. The move comes as South Korea has been seeking to develop advanced weapons while reducing its reliance on foreign semiconductors essential in military systems. In September last year, DAPA launched a unit dedicated to developing, managing and certifying semiconductors used in defense systems to meet growing demand for such chips. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Arms agency upgrades warship defense system against missiles
The state arms procurement agency said Thursday it has upgraded a self-defense system for warships as part of efforts to strengthen their defense capabilities against incoming missiles. The Multi Ammunition Softkill System is designed to protect warships from anti-ship missiles by launching decoys that emit smoke and mimic signals similar to that of the defending vessel, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The system recently underwent various upgrades so that it can launch more advanced decoys that can better mimic vessels on radar to defend against new anti-ship missiles with improved target-seeking capabilities, DAPA said. South Korea first deployed the naval defense system in 2014 and has recently sought to upgrade it due to the emergence of advanced anti-ship missiles capable of detecting ship-launched decoys. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
23-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Arms agency hold talks on Surion helicopter exports to Iraq during arms fair
South Korea's arms procurement agency said Wednesday it has taken part in a defense exhibition in Iraq and held talks with Iraqi military officials over exports of the South's Surion helicopters. Officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration visited the Middle Eastern country for the International Defense Exhibition from Saturday through Tuesday to promote South Korean weapons systems, according to the agency. In a meeting with Iraq's Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi, DAPA officials expressed their willingness to advance growing defense cooperation between the two nations. The Iraqi defense minister was quoted as stressing the need to bolster bilateral cooperation in the arms industry and expressed deep trust in the South Korean arms industry, according to DAPA. In December, South Korean defense firm Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. signed a 136 billion-won ($95.3 million) deal to export Surion helicopters to Iraq by March 2029, in what marked the first export of the homegrown chopper. The Surion, also known as the Korean Utility Helicopter, is a medium-sized utility helicopter that has been deployed in the South Korean Army since 2012. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
31-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Germany open to South Korea's defense goals, but talks needed: ambassador
Germany is aware of the ambitious goals of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, but talks are needed for any specific cooperation to happen, Georg Schmidt, German ambassador to South Korea, told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday. DAPA aims to achieve significant advancements in Korea's defense industry by enhancing transparency, efficiency and expertise in national defense procurement, promoting a competitive system and realizing industrial growth through export promotion and investment attraction. Germany shifted its previously strict arms export policy due to the Ukraine war, emphasizing continued arms support for Ukraine's defense. "The German government fully understands South Korea's position," he said, highlighting the German government's 1-trillion-euro ($1.08 trillion) defense package. He said that the exact allocation of the budget is still undecided. Germany has never before approved such a large-scale financial package in such a short time, and this is seen by many as a result of concerns about potential policy shifts in the US and NATO. "This package is not aimed against the US; rather, it aligns with longstanding US requests for Europe to increase its defense spending," according to Schmidt. He said that Germany sees an escalating threat from Russia, which has transitioned into a wartime economy. "Reports indicate that 60 percent of Russia's national budget is now dedicated to war. Also, Moscow has issued aggressive statements targeting Poland, Germany, France and the UK," Schmidt warned. Asked about his government's cooperation with South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA), the envoy said that both sides have cooperative relationships in the defense industry. 'A notable example is South Korea's purchase of German-made Taurus missiles," he said. The German-origin Taurus missile is a long-range air-to-surface missile with a 500-kilometer range, designed for precision bombing of key North Korean facilities. It can target Pyongyang from central South Korea, and its range covers all of North Korea if fired near Seoul, allowing any target to be reached within 15 minutes. But the envoy said that cooperation extends beyond government-level agreements because German and South Korean defense companies interact in both collaborative and competitive capacities. "From the perspective of German companies, South Korean firms can also be seen as competitors,' said Schmidt. Asked about policies on North Korea under Germany's likely new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, the ambassador suggested that policies on Asia are more likely to align with the chancellor's speech at the Korber Global Leaders Dialogue. In the speech, Merz has warned about the growing alliance between North Korea, China, Russia and Iran, which is destabilizing global regions and challenging liberal democracies. According to Merz, this axis provides mutual support, with Iran supplying drones, China providing semiconductors and North Korea sending troops. In return, Russia aids Iran, China and North Korea. Merz also thinks that the risk of North Korean missiles is potentially threatening the US mainland. 'In Europe, decisions are not just about cost but also about efficiency," Schmidt said, citing the example of over 15 different types of armored vehicles in operation across Europe. 'Strengthening the competitiveness of the defense industry is one of Germany's key tasks," Schmidt added. But he also acknowledged concerns in South Korea's defense industry because of European military expansion and the prioritization of European-made weapons. "Germany has historically imported many weapon systems, including the controversial purchase of US F-35 fighter jets worth tens of billions of euros. The key factors for Germany are domestic production capabilities and production speed," he said, pointing out that Europe's labor shortages affect defense firms' ability to meet deadlines. "This is why efficiency, alongside cost, is crucial in defense procurement decisions," he added. South Korean defense companies are closely monitoring whether the increase in European defense spending will result in budgets being limited to European firms or open up opportunities for international partnerships. South Korea's strong defense ties with Poland suggest further cooperation possibilities with other European nations.
