South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration
South Korea's arms procurement agency; its committee approves major weapons programmes, including drones.
On 15 September, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration approved a 2.16 trillion won programme for an Army reconnaissance drone, while directing the country’s arms procurement system.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why is Seoul spending a decade developing an army drone at home?
Timeline for South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration
Approved a ₩2.16tn VTOL drone programme
Drones: Industry & Defence: DAPA approves VTOL drone for Korean armyApproved the K2 tank upgrade programme
Drones: Industry & Defence: Seoul buys jammers with its new tanksBackground
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration directs major arms procurement decisions for the country’s defence forces. Its committee approved a 2.16 trillion won programme on 15 September 2026 to develop a vertical take-off reconnaissance drone for the army.
The agency’s REMIT includes force-improvement procurement and defence research programmes. It also oversees acquisition work that connects military requirements with domestic development and long-term equipment support. On 11 August 2026, it approved a 3.448 trillion won upgrade programme for K2 tanks, including jammers against drones and roadside bombs.
That role makes The Administration a key institutional gatekeeper for South Korean military modernisation. Its decisions determine which programmes receive formal approval, funding and multi-year delivery schedules.
