KDDX Destroyer Program Moves Forward

The committee approved the Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) detailed design and lead ship construction master plan, marking a significant milestone in South Korea’s indigenous naval capability development.

The KDDX project will consolidate accumulated wartime shipbuilding expertise with a domestically developed combat management system and indigenous weapon systems to produce a state-of-the-art guided-missile destroyer.

Officials say the vessel will serve as a cornerstone of the Republic of Korea Navy’s operational fleet, providing deterrence and response capabilities against evolving threats, including North Korean missile and undersea operations. The platform is expected to become a key element of South Korea’s maritime “three-axis” defense posture and contribute to defense export growth.

• Program period: 2020–2036

• Total budget: Approx. ₩7.04 trillion ($4.9 billion)
  
  

  Precision Artillery Fuze Project Approved
  
  
  

  The Ballistic Correction Fuze program, designed to improve the accuracy of extended-range 155mm artillery rounds, was also endorsed with a revised acquisition strategy and system development plan.
  
  

  By integrating guidance capabilities into artillery fuzes, the program is expected to heighten strike effectiveness at extreme ranges while reducing ammunition consumption. The guided fuze will be packaged with extended-range ammunition, boosting export appeal as part of South Korea’s defense product suite.
  
  

  • Program period: 2026–2035

  • Total budget: Approx. ₩1.59 trillion (≈ $1.1 billion)
    
    

    F-35A Performance Upgrade Strategy Updated

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    The committee also revised the acquisition strategy for the F-35A Performance Upgrade program, aligning development plans with updated operational requirements and modern system configurations.
    
    

    The project will upgrade avionics and electronic warfare systems in South Korea’s fleet of U.S.-manufactured F-35A fighter jets. Improvements are expected to enhance tactical data processing and precision weapon delivery, reinforcing the F-35A’s role within Korea’s integrated defense architecture, particularly in the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike framework.
    
    

    • Program period: 2022–2039

    • Total budget: Approx. ₩898.1 billion (≈ $624 million)
      
      The committee’s decisions come amid continued efforts to modernize ROK’s military posture in response to regional security dynamics. Defense officials emphasized that these programs, combining cutting-edge technology with domestic industrial participation, aim to strengthen both national security and export competitiveness. ,,
      
      K-DEFENSE NEWS | Strategic Analysis Desk
      
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