Navy receives first Geomdoksuri-B patrol ship for North Korea border South Korea's Navy received the first Geomdoksuri-B patrol vessel, which will bolster defenses near the western sea border with North Korea. 2026.8.14
Hanwha Ocean signs 7.8 trillion won contract to build Korea's next-generation destroyer The deal comes after a month of negotiations with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to design and build the first homegrown Aegis-class warships, with the lead ship of the program scheduled to enter service in 2032. 2026.7.31
Korea unveils first homegrown aircraft engine prototypes in push to shed reliance on imports The defense acquisition and development agencies offered a first glimpse at a 5,500-pound-class turbofan and a 1,400-horsepower turboprop, both designed for uncrewed aircraft. 2026.7.7
Hanwha Ocean named preferred bidder for Korea's next-generation destroyer program The KDDX program calls for six 6,000-ton "mini-Aegis" destroyers to be built entirely with domestic technology at a total cost of 7.8 trillion won ($5 billion). 2026.7.2
Korea's KF-21 fighter jet passes gov't-led flight safety evaluation Korea’s first homegrown fighter jet cleared the government’s airworthiness certification ahead of initial Air Force deliveries this year. 2026.6.16
Switzerland's arms procurement chief meets with Korean counterparts in Seoul Switzerland's arms procurement chief visited Seoul this week on his first official trip, during which he held talks with Korean government officials and defense industry representatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. 2026.2.6
Korea to use Saemangeum wetland for testing antidrone equipment Korea plans to test antidrone equipment at the Saemangeum wetland in the country's southwestern region, officials said Wednesday, as the country seeks to sharpen response capabilities against rising drone threats. 2025.12.17
Project launched to develop short-range air-to-air missiles for homegrown fighter jets The state arms procurement agency on Tuesday launched a 435.9 billion won project ($296 million) to develop short-range air-to-air guided missiles to be equipped on Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jets. 2025.12.2
Korea conducts separation test for homegrown long-range air-to-surface guided missile The state arms procurement agency has successfully conducted a safe separation test for a homegrown long-range air-to-surface guided missile under development, officials said Wednesday. 2025.6.25
Arms agency selects key development projects for defense chips The state arms procurement agency has designated five key projects aimed at developing semiconductor technologies for defense manufacturing, officials said Monday. 2025.5.19
![Swiss National Armaments Director Urs Loher, fourth from right, poses next to Yun Song-hyun, executive director of the Directorate of Defense Industry Advancement, third from right, and other Swiss and Korean officials during a meeting at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in Daejeon on Feb. 5. [EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN KOREA]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12179240.jpg?imageId=12179240&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Police conduct an antiterrorism exercise involving drones in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, on Oct. 20. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12158130.jpg?imageId=12158130&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Students from Gyeongbuk Aviation High School examine a model of the next-generation KF-21 fighter jet at the Air Force booth during the 2025 Korea Future Airport Expo in Daegu, on Nov. 26. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/11948646.jpg?imageId=11948646&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![A test FA-50 aircraft equipped with a long-range air-to-surface guided missile under development is pictured in this photo provided by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on June 25. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12037095.jpg?imageId=12037095&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![The Defense Acquisition Program Administration office in Daejeon [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12486185.jpg?imageId=12486185&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)