Page 136 - 2020 Defence White Paper

2. 2021~2025 Mid-Term Defense Force Enhancement Plan

The MND plans to invest KRW 100.1 trillion from 2021 to 2025 to accelerate
Defense Reform 2.0 and establish a strong defense posture against omnidirectional
security threats. The MND’s core forces will be enhanced to be able to respond to
various nuclear and WMD threats, and military reorganization will be centered
on advanced forces. Moreover, the MND will actively respond to nonmilitary
threats such as cyber-threats, terrorism, and disasters, and guarantee conditions for
strengthening defense R&D capabilities related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution
and revitalizing the domestic defense industry. Efforts will also be made to protect
national interests such as maintaining international peace and protecting overseas
Korean nationals.
First, to respond to nuclear and WMD threats, the MND will secure advanced
and wide-range long-distance surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities by field
deploying military reconnaissance satellites and medium-altitude reconnaissance
UAV. The command and control system will also be intelligent and improved
so that it can be linked with the real-time strike system; the surveillance and
reconnaissance information will be integrated and transmitted via the Military

Satellite Communications System II, Tactical Information Communication Network
(TICN), and Joint Fire Operating System Korea (JFOS-K). The MND will secure
missile power capable of long-range precision strike, F-35A capable of stealth strike,
and Jangbogo-III submarines. Furthermore, KAMD capabilities will further be
improved through the development of long-range ground-to-air guided weapons
and medium-range ground-to-air weapons (Patriot) performance upgrades to enable
multi-layered defense against enemy’s ballistic missile attacks.
The following force buildup plans are intended for the military restructuring
centered on cutting-edge forces. The ground forces will obtain reconnaissance
UAV, counter-battery radar II, 230 mm MLRS, and tactical ground-to-ground
guided weapons II to expand surveillance and striking ranges. The fielding of new
equipment, including 81 mm mortar-II, 120 mm self-propelled mortar, and medium
tactical vehicles will help maximize the force’s survivability, mobility, and combat
capabilities, thereby reducing operating troops. Maritime and amphibious forces are
expected to enhance surface, underwater, and anti-aircraft operations capabilities
through the f elding of Korean destroyers and frigates, logistics support ship II, and
ship-to-ship, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine guided missiles. Multidimensional,
high-speed amphibious operation capabilities are also expected to be enhanced with
the acquisition of utility helicopters and high-speed landing craft. The air forces will

2020 Defense White Paper