The military's weapons systems acquisition method is expected to change from a top-down approach to a bottom-up approach, where companies propose first. This aims to reduce the time it takes from development to operational deployment, which typically takes about 5 to 10 years, in order to quickly introduce the latest technologies. The industry also expects that the change in the system will reduce research and development expenses.
According to military authorities and the defense industry on the 31st, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration is preparing to establish a 'corporate autonomous proposal research and development system.' The agency is reviewing a direction in which companies specializing in specific weapons systems participate from the military's requirements review stage and propose weapons systems. After the proposal and the requirements are finalized, the expected performance and deployment timing will be discussed, after which the company will propose development plans that suit the military's situation, and the military authorities will promote the weapons acquisition project accordingly.
Currently, weapons systems development begins only after the military raises a requirement. When each branch requests the necessary weapons, the Joint Chiefs of Staff assesses whether to introduce them and requests purchases from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The administration decides on purchases through a business promotion strategy, allocates a budget, and announces the project. Only after the announcement can companies understand the performance required by the military, but by that time, all requirements have already been determined, making it difficult to reflect companies' opinions.
Once the corporate autonomous proposal research and development system is implemented, companies will be involved as each branch reviews the necessary weapons systems. An official from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration noted, "This will enable companies to quickly recognize military requirements and proactively prepare for business promotion through preliminary development," adding, "The issue of developing solely in line with the military's required performance can also be resolved."
From the perspective of corporations, there is also the advantage of reduced preliminary research expenses. Previously, companies had to engage in research and development without knowing what weapons the military needed. Research and development can cost hundreds of millions of won over several years, but there was a burden to undertake technological development without certainty of success in bidding. A representative from Company A stated, "Currently, we can only participate in bidding if there is technology required by the military. Once the system is implemented, companies will save on research and development expenses."
It is also expected that the possibility of securing new technologies in a timely manner will increase. There were concerns that it would be difficult to respond quickly to technological changes once development occurs after military requirements are raised in advanced technology fields such as drones and artificial intelligence (AI). A representative from Company B stated, "We expect that the time from development to operational deployment will significantly decrease."
On the 18th, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration held an explanatory session for the corporate autonomous proposal research and development system. Companies that attended reportedly showed a positive stance. However, there were also opinions that the system must be designed to prevent concerns over the integrity of the bidding process. The agency plans to finalize the system after discussions on which weapons systems to apply it to.