DAPA's FOUNDING BACKGROUND

Acquisition of national defense capabilities is an important field that requires a significant budget and determines the security of the nation. However, due to lack of transparency, dispersed organizational management and insufficiently rational operation of the financial resources in the existing acquisition system, that led to inefficiency and weakening the competitiveness of the defense industry, in 2003, we sought a fundamental reform plan to overcome these problems. As a result, in order to strengthen the transparency, efficiency, and expertise of the acquisition business, the Ministry of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, each army branch and the Defense Procurement Agency, altogether eight different institutions, closed down their separate defense acquisition structures discontinuing all related activities, and on January 1, 2006, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) was created as an administrative center specializing in defense acquisition to carry out business related activities directed at improving the defense capabilities, procuring military supplies and fostering the defense industry.

With the establishment of DAPA, the defense business, which up to that moment had been conducted without legal basis and only in accordance with the internal regulations of the different institutions, is being carried out under the newly created ‘Defence Acquisition Program Act. An open decision-making system has been introduced and transparency in the defence business has been ensured through measures like the formation of the Defense Business Promotion Committee with the participation of civil experts who contribute to the decision making process for the main business activities. In addition, through the integration of all acquisition-related organizations, it became possible to distribute in a more rational and effective way the financial resources among the different army branches and weapon systems. The new measures for implementing existing research and the introduction of the IPT system which helps us quickly identify problems in the process of conducting our business and thus prevent possible dangers, guarantee the efficiency of our activities.

In addition, by abolishing the specialization and affiliation system, we have moved away from the monopolistic industrial structure and have strengthened the industrial competitiveness through the transition to a competitive system. We support the defence industry by export promotion and implement measures for attracting investments. As a result of these activities, the defense industry has been able to achieve dramatic growth.

DAPA's ACTIVITIES

DAPA is in charge of improving the defense capabilities of the nation, providing military supplies and fostering the defence industry.

First of all, we improve the defense capabilities of the nation by conducting research and developing, or purchasing the weapon systems which the armed forces need to enhance their military power. We provide the army with weapon systems at best conditions and deliver them within the required time frame. Based on this line of activities, we also develop and localize the production of advanced and complex weapon systems, thus promoting the national defense science and technology.

In addition, when the Ministry of Defense decides on the necessity of a wide range of military products ranging from weaponry to apparel, such as guns and body-armor, which are required by military units, we conclude expert contracts and conduct the procurement of the military supplies while monitoring for the complete and accurate fulfillment of the contracts. Our quality control activities are being strengthened so that our military can use high quality munitions. As a result, in the last years, the rate of defects occurring in the military supplies has been decreasing.

Further, in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the defense industry, we have established a basic plan to nurture and support the manufacturing of defense-related products, while also designing regional strategies for strengthening the export competitiveness and actively carrying out international cooperation. To promote fast enhancement of national defense industry’s scientific and technological level, we are streamlining the related systems and implementing policies to dynamize the civil and military technological cooperation, while also enlarging the base for easier access to the defense industry’s R&D activities.

Moreover, since the establishment of DAPA we have continued to develop new areas of business, in addition to our already existing activities and responsibilities. In 2009, the "Air Traffic Safety Certification Act for Military Aircraft" was enacted in order to secure the flight safety of military aircraft, and a related organization was newly established to carry out professional air safety certification. In order to protect the technology, the Defense Industry Technology Protection Act was enacted in 2016 to build defense technology protection systems. In accordance with the growth of the defense technology in Korea and the increase of exports, the defense business base has been strengthened by the enactment of the Defense Technology Protection Law in 2016 and by the construction of a system to protect the national defense industry technology.