DAPA’s FOUNDING BACKGROUND

Defense acquisition is the important area that involves a high budget and determines the national security, and in order to shore up the transparency, efficiency, and specialty of the acquisition program, acquisition organizations and functions dispersed throughout 8 different institutions, such as the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, each military branch and the Defense Procurement Agency, were discontinued, and integrated into centralized administration specializing in acquisition, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on January 1, 2006, with its main role such as the improvement of defense capabilities, promotion of the defense industry, procurement of munitions.

“Defense Acquisition Program Act” was enacted along with the establishment of DAPA, and defense projects commenced pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations. Also an open decision-making system where civil experts participate in major decision-making process in main projects, such as the Defense Project Promotion Committee was introduced, leading to high transparency in defense acquisition program.

In addition, the integration of acquisition-related organizations enabled effective distribution of resources by each military service and weapon system, and the establishment of preliminary research process for optimal conduct of program, and the introduction of IPT system (Integrated Project Team) that rapidly identifies issues in the process of projects, are adding to the effective implementation of projects.

In addition, by abolishing specialization and affiliation system that had designated and limited specific companies to handle specific area, the monopolistic industrial structure was transformed into competitive system that can sharpen industrial competitive edge, and the defense industry scale has exponentially grown thanks to industrial policies that support export activities of defense enterprises, and promote investments in R&D.

DAPA’s ACTIVITIES

DAPA is in charge of improving the defense capabilities of the nation, providing military supplies and fostering the defence industry.

First of all, we improve the defense capabilities of the nation by conducting research and developing, or purchasing the weapon systems which the armed forces need to enhance their military power. We provide the army with weapon systems at best conditions and deliver them within the required time frame. Based on this line of activities, we also develop and localize the production of advanced and complex weapon systems, thus promoting the national defense science and technology.

In addition, when the Ministry of Defense decides on the necessity of a wide range of military products ranging from weaponry to apparel, such as guns and body-armor, which are required by military units, we conclude expert contracts and conduct the procurement of the military supplies while monitoring for the complete and accurate fulfillment of the contracts. Our quality control activities are being strengthened so that our military can use high quality munitions. As a result, in the last years, the rate of defects occurring in the military supplies has been decreasing.

Further, in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the defense industry, we have established a basic plan to nurture and support the manufacturing of defense-related products, while also designing regional strategies for strengthening the export competitiveness and actively carrying out international cooperation. To promote fast enhancement of national defense industry’s scientific and technological level, we are streamlining the related systems and implementing policies to dynamize the civil and military technological cooperation, while also enlarging the base for easier access to the defense industry’s R&D activities.

Moreover, since the establishment of DAPA we have continued to develop new areas of business, in addition to our already existing activities and responsibilities. In 2009, the "Air Traffic Safety Certification Act for Military Aircraft" was enacted in order to secure the flight safety of military aircraft, and a related organization was newly established to carry out professional air safety certification. In order to protect the technology, the Defense Industry Technology Protection Act was enacted in 2016 to build defense technology protection systems. In accordance with the growth of the defense technology in Korea and the increase of exports, the defense business base has been strengthened by the enactment of the Defense Technology Protection Law in 2016 and by the construction of a system to protect the national defense industry technology.