Key facts
- South Korea plans to upgrade its K2 battle tank with an active protection system, drone jammer, and remote-controlled weapons station.
- The K2 tank upgrade project is valued at 3.43 trillion won ($2.43 billion) and will run from 2028 to 2046.
- The Navy's Haeseong-II anti-ship missile will be upgraded to double its strike range, with a budget of 1.63 trillion won.
- The upgraded Haeseong-II missiles are intended for the next-generation KDDX destroyer.
- The defense ministry is also pursuing the temporary relocation of Gwangju air base operations to accelerate a chip cluster project.
- New divisions are being formed to accelerate the nuclear-powered submarine program.
South Korea is set to significantly enhance its military capabilities through major upgrades to its key battle tank and anti-ship missile programs, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The initiatives are designed to counter evolving enemy threats.
The K2 main battle tank will undergo a substantial upgrade, incorporating an active protection system (APS) dubbed 'smart shield,' which uses radar to detect and intercept incoming missiles and drones. The tank will also be equipped with a drone and improvised explosive device (IED) jammer to disrupt enemy communications, and a remote-controlled weapons station (RCWS) for enhanced crew safety. This comprehensive upgrade project, valued at approximately 3.43 trillion won ($2.43 billion), is slated to run from 2028 through 2046, with the modernized tanks expected to enter service by 2033.
In parallel, the Navy's Haeseong-II long-range anti-ship missile is slated for an upgrade aimed at doubling its strike range, supported by a more powerful turbofan engine. This project, with a budget of around 1.63 trillion won, is targeted for completion by 2033, with mass production commencing in 2034. These enhanced missiles are anticipated for deployment on South Korea's upcoming KDDX destroyers, for which Hanwha has secured a contract to build the lead ship.
These upgrade plans were formally approved during a key DAPA decision-making meeting. In separate but related defense initiatives, the South Korean defense ministry is also pushing for the temporary relocation of Gwangju air base operations to expedite a chip cluster project and is establishing new divisions to accelerate its nuclear-powered submarine program.