Defense Acquisition Program Administration News

South Korean authorities cited the risk of Chinese economic retaliation when they charged marine technology firm SI Innotec last year with violating trade laws for its work on Taiwan's new military submarine program, according to a police document seen by Reuters and two people familiar with the matter.In a Feb. 17, 2022, affidavit to a judge seeking the arrest of SI Innotec executive director Park Mal-sik, police said authorities feared a repeat of the sweeping sanctions imposed by Beijing in 2016, after Seoul decided to install THAAD, a U.S. anti-missile system.

The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has taken delivery of its first Daegu-class (FFX-II) frigate. South Korea’s defense procurement agency, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) formally handed over the ship to the Navy, the first of an eight-ship program. As well as the controllable pitch propellers, Rolls-Royce is on contract to provide the main propulsion power for the first four FFX-II ships with the Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine as part of a hybrid propulsion system, specifically designed to enhance Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities. Eight Daegu-class frigates are scheduled to be built, the first of which is being built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME).

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) has succeeded in producing the nation’s first integrated combat system, which serves as the brain of attack submarines. The integrated combat system detects, tracks and identify targets and help accurately evaluate tactical and operational situations. The South Korean defense contractor announced on November 21 that it has succeeded in localizing the integrated combat management system for submarines in cooperation with LIG Nex1 Corp. and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Until now, the company has used German technology. Korea's first combat system will be embedded in the Chang Bogo I-class submarine, the nation’s first attack submarine built in the 1990s.

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world’s largest shipbuilder, has won an order to build a 23,000 ton class logistics support vessel for New Zealand Defence Force’s Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) project. HHI was selected as a preferred bidder in December 2015. HHI will deliver the logistics support vessel to New Zealand by the end of 2019. Under the MSC project, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) plans to replace its replenishment tanker HMNZS Endeavour to maintain replenishment capability for the New Zealand Defence Force. HMNZS Endeavor, which has served RNZN for the past 30 years and is still in good condition, was also delivered by HHI in 1987.

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has clinched a 322.6 billion won (US$305.8 million) deal to build a frigate that will help it exceed its 2013 order target of $13 billion, reports Yonhap News Agency. Citing DSME, Yonhap informs that the contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration entails building and delivering the warship to the South Korean Navy by 2017. The latest contract leaves Daewoo Shipbuilding with cumulative orders of 57 ships and offshore plants worth $13.6 billion for this year. Source: Yonhap News Agency

South Korea's defense procurement agency has signed a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries to acquire a new next-generation landing ship LST-II, reports Yonhap New Agency. This vessel will be South Korea's second LST-II ship designed to land personnel, tanks and equipment simultaneously, after the first one that has been under construction by Hanjin Heavy Industries since 2011. The new contract is worth 136.4 billion won (US$129 million), and delivery is set for 2016, says Yonhap, citing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Source: Yonhap News Agency

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) completed and launched Korea’s first 7,600-ton class Aegis destroyer. The launching ceremony for the ship was held May 25, 2007. In attendance were President Roh Mu-hyun, First Lady Kwon Yang-sook, Minister of Defense Kim Jang-soo, Chief of Naval Operations Song Young-moo, Chairman of the Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Kwan-jin, commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration Lee Sun-hee, Mayor of Ulsan Park Maeng-woo, CEO of HHI Choi Kil-seon, and 350 other guests at HHI's Special and Naval Shipbuilding Yard in Ulsan, Korea. The destroyer was named Sejongdaewang-Ham after the legendary king of the Chosun Dynasty who strived to protect his people and his kingdom by fortifying that nation’s defenses.

According to reports, the Korean military acquisition agency yesterday selected Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. to build the country's second Aegis-equipped destroyer, officials at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said. They said the DAPA will sign an official contract with Daewoo next month. Daewoo is expected to deliver the destroyer to the Navy by the end of 2010. The contract is part of the Korean Navy's KDX-III program to develop warships equipped with the U.S. missile combat system. The military will invest more than $3.2b to build three Aegis ships by 2012. The 7,000-ton vessel is equipped with long and mid-range vessel-to-air missiles, ship-to-ship missiles and torpedoes. Source: Korea Herald