South Korea Revises Regulations to Integrate Domestically Developed Parts into Weapon Systems Early

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has introduced new regulations aimed at incorporating domestically developed parts into weapon systems from the early design stage.

The revisions to the “Weapon System Parts Domestic Development Management Regulations” are expected to speed up the development process, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, and boost the country’s defense industry.

Under the revised rules, South Korean companies will now be able to develop key components during the initial stages of weapon system development, rather than waiting until systems are already in use or mass production. This shift is designed to allow the integration of locally produced parts more efficiently and earlier in the lifecycle of weapon systems.

Previously, DAPA’s Parts Domestic Development Support Project focused primarily on replacing imported parts for existing weapon systems. While this method ensured compatibility, it limited the ability to preemptively utilize domestically developed parts. The revised regulations now allow for the development of critical components even before the full weapon system has been finalized.

A major change in the revised rules is the simplified evaluation process for domestically developed parts. Instead of requiring multiple rounds of testing, components will only undergo a single “development test evaluation” for performance and reliability. If successful, the parts will receive an “interim military suitability judgment” and a “part performance certificate,” ensuring their future use in weapon systems under development.

Kim Il-dong, Director of the Defense Industry Promotion Bureau at DAPA, emphasized that the revised system will help establish a more reliable and self-sufficient defense industry by making domestically developed parts integral to the entire cycle of weapon system development. "We aim to increase domestic production rates and strengthen the stability of our parts supply chain, contributing to our goal of becoming a defense industry powerhouse," Kim stated.