With the launch of the Lee Jae-myung government, attention is focused on the direction of five major arms procurement projects totaling over 10 trillion won. These projects have had their budgets secured at the request of the military; however, they have been subjected to repeated reviews and cancellations as administrations have changed.
The five major arms procurement projects include a second procurement project for 36 Apache Guardian (AH-64E) attack helicopters (3.3 trillion won), a project to develop 53 light armored vehicles (700 billion won), a project to develop one light aircraft carrier (2.6 trillion won), a construction project for three joint fire support ships capable of carrying various types of ballistic, cruise, and intercept missiles totaling around 100 (2.28 trillion won), and a project to introduce four joint mobile target surveillance and control aircraft (3.3901 trillion won).
Among the five projects, the joint fire support ship construction project has been completely canceled. Hanwha Ocean, which won the concept design contract in 2023, unveiled a model of the joint fire support ship at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition that year. The ship features a displacement of 8,000 tons, about the size of a large AEGIS destroyer, with a length of 150 meters, a width of around 20 meters, and approximately 100 vertical launching systems (VLS) and four 20-meter launchers.
The military has changed its plan to introduce a light aircraft carrier to a multi-purpose manned/unmanned power command ship. An aircraft carrier is a vessel that carries fighter jets. The U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers weigh around 110,000 tons, while Korea's envisioned aircraft carrier is classified as a light aircraft carrier at around 40,000 tons. The manned/unmanned power command ship has a similar platform as the light aircraft carrier but carries unmanned combat aircraft and numerous drones instead of manned aircraft. Reports indicate that the navy explained the reasons for the plan change when it visited the National Defense Committee in April.
The light aircraft carrier project was a national project for the navy under the Moon Jae-in government. However, under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, concerns were raised that its necessity was reduced due to the limited operational area of the Korean Peninsula and the increasing importance of drones, prompting a change to a power command ship. The navy has entrusted HD Hyundai Heavy Industries with concept design research, and a final conclusion is expected after a new Minister of National Defense is appointed.
The army's second major attack helicopter project is also expected to be decided after the appointment of the Minister of National Defense. Initially, the army deployed 36 Apaches in 2017 as part of the first phase, and planned to procure an additional 36 in the second phase. This project was initiated as a result of operational plans by former Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo during the Moon Jae-in administration. Afterward, with attack helicopters being shot down by drones in the war between Ukraine and Russia, talks of 'helicopter obsolescence' emerged, and discussions on procurement were halted due to rapidly rising costs.
There are reports that the introduction of Apache helicopters could serve as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Donald Trump administration. A former military official noted, "The second procurement project for large attack helicopters is currently on hold, and given that tariff and defense cost negotiations are ongoing, it could become one of the bargaining chips."
The project for joint mobile target surveillance and control aircraft has been combined with other projects of the air force. An air force official explained, "This decision was made considering changes in the war paradigm, a decrease in military personnel resources, and limited defense budgets." It appears that the project was scaled back due to overlaps in roles with early warning control aircraft and the introduction of various unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
A military official stated, "The perception of the major arms projects varies depending on one's perspective. A decision from the new government is necessary."