Page 183 - 2020 Defence White Paper

2. Improving the Efficiency of the Defense Acquisition System

Improving the Weapons System Acquisition The MND and the DAPA are
Procedures Based on Speed and Efficiency improving the defense acqui-
sition procedure to respond to
the rapidly changing security environment in a flexible manner and promptly apply
the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to weapons systems.
The MND and the DAPA have been pursuing the "rapid pilot acquisition program"
since 2020. Under this program, the ROK Armed Forces purchases in minimum
quantity a weapon system that incorporates leading civilian technologies, pilot the
weapon system in the field, and if determined appropriate, promptly field the weapon
system. The MND and the DAPA are exerting continuous efforts to improve the
related laws and regulations to stabilize this program, and are also pursuing the
introduction of a "rapid prototype development (provisional title)" system which Chapter 5
incorporates the elements of R&D and upgrades. Furthermore, a "rapid acquisition
system (provisional title)" will be developed by institutionalizing various acquisition
models so that the relevant programs can be applied according to the characteristics
of each weapons system.
In order to field weapons systems in a timely manner, the MND and the DAPA
are planning to simplify the weapons system acquisition procedures by eliminating
unnecessary administrative procedures during prerequisite procedures such as
requirements verification, project feasibility study, and defense project inspector
verification considering the characteristics of the programs, and integrating

duplicate tasks.

Establishing a Rational and Efficient As the defense acquisition environ-
System for Decision-Making and ment is becoming more complex and
Collaborations advanced, the number of defense force

enhancement projects is increasing.
Hence, the necessity for the establishment of a more rational and efficient system for
decision-making and collaborations is also growing.
The MND and the DAPA launched the Defense Acquisition Program Council
in April 2019 with an aim of promptly resolving increasing number of defense
program issues and improving policies and systems in a reasonable manner through
transparent communication and collaboration.
The Defense Acquisition Program Council is co-chaired by the Vice Minister
of National Defense and the DAPA Minister, and is achieving tangible results in

Chapter 5. Establishing a Fair, Transparent, and Efficient National Defense Operation System 181