S. Korea to let defense firms propose weapons systems under new acquisition model
South Korea’s military is planning to shift its weapons acquisition process from a top-down approach to a bottom-up model that allows defense companies to take the lead in proposing new systems.
The change aims to speed up the adoption of advanced technologies by cutting down the typical five-to-10-year development cycle. The industry also expects the new system to help reduce research and development costs.
According to military authorities and the defense industry, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration is preparing to introduce a new system that would allow companies to take the lead in proposing research and development projects.
Under this framework, companies with expertise in specific weapon systems will be able to participate from the early stages of the military’s requirement review process and propose new systems.
Once the military approves the proposed need, the parties will discuss required capabilities and the timeline for deployment. Based on those discussions, companies will propose development plans tailored to military needs, and the military will move forward with acquisition projects based on those proposals.