[2026 Parliamentary Audit] Commissioner Lee: "Advance Key Capabilities, Including Nuclear-Powered Submarines, on Schedule"

Briefing to the National Assembly National Defense Committee for Parliamentary Audit

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said it plans to establish a three-axis defense system, pursue a nuclear-powered submarine program and complete the timely introduction of key weapons systems to strengthen South Korea's self-defense capabilities, including through the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON).

In a report on its work to the National Assembly's National Defense Committee during the parliamentary audit on October 13, DAPA said, "We will advance key capabilities, including the nuclear-powered submarine program, the Korean three-axis defense system, and artificial intelligence (AI) and manned-unmanned systems, on schedule," adding, "We will secure technological sovereignty by developing advanced technologies."

Yonhap News Agency

DAPA said it would leverage the organization and capabilities built around conventional diesel-powered submarines to develop a nuclear propulsion system and move forward with details such as drawing up a submarine construction program plan. It also said it would complete the timely introduction of advanced capabilities to strengthen those needed to counter North Korea's nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats and to support the transfer of wartime operational control. Specific examples included the Long-range Artillery Interception System (LAMD), dubbed the "Korean Iron Dome"; the next-generation Aegis destroyer (Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II), which will follow the ROKS Jeongjo the Great; and the second batch of F-35A stealth fighters, a key component of the "Kill Chain."

DAPA will also flesh out tailored defense export strategies for each region. In the North American market, including the United States, it plans to step up efforts to enter the overseas shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) markets, as well as the Army's ground-systems sector.

Administrator Lee said, "We are laying the groundwork for South Korea to become one of the world's four leading defense powers through a major transformation of the defense industry." Lee added, "We will build a sustainable defense industry ecosystem by institutionalizing win-win cooperation between large and small and medium-sized companies."

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