Government Complex Sejong, Budget Office. (Photo provided by the Budget Office)
The Budget Office said it will focus next year’s budget planning on securing advanced military capabilities such as drones and robots.
On the 28th, the office held a meeting with officials from major defense companies at the Narakium conference hall in Seoul’s Yeouido district to discuss priority investment directions for the defense sector and ways to strengthen the defense industry ecosystem.
K-defense exports have recently expanded, particularly to Europe and the Middle East, widening South Korea’s footprint in the global arms market. The office said, however, that as the market rapidly shifts toward advanced technologies and competition intensifies, there is a growing need to ensure export gains translate into sustainable industrial competitiveness.
Company representatives at the meeting said the strategic importance of advanced weapons, including AI and drones, is rising and that major countries are increasing related budgets. They said South Korea also needs expanded investment to shift to advanced weapons systems and support for developing core technologies.
Lee Je-hoon, the office’s director for administrative and defense budget review, said, “With the recent trend of declining troop numbers and changes in the nature of future warfare, fostering a smart, elite force through a transition to cutting-edge weapons systems is an important task.” He added, “When drafting the 2027 budget, we will make targeted investments in related funding to secure advanced capabilities, including unmanned-manned integrated systems such as drone and robot platforms, along with upgrading the Korean three-axis system.”
Lee also said sustained global competitiveness for K-defense requires growth across the entire ecosystem, urging major firms to share results with smaller partner companies during project implementation and to help build a fair, mutually beneficial industrial environment.
The Budget Office said it will use views raised at the meeting to refine defense investment priorities to be reflected in the 2027 budget proposal and the National Fiscal Management Plan (2026–2030).
On the 28th, the office held a meeting with officials from major defense companies at the Narakium conference hall in Seoul’s Yeouido district to discuss priority investment directions for the defense sector and ways to strengthen the defense industry ecosystem.
K-defense exports have recently expanded, particularly to Europe and the Middle East, widening South Korea’s footprint in the global arms market. The office said, however, that as the market rapidly shifts toward advanced technologies and competition intensifies, there is a growing need to ensure export gains translate into sustainable industrial competitiveness.
Company representatives at the meeting said the strategic importance of advanced weapons, including AI and drones, is rising and that major countries are increasing related budgets. They said South Korea also needs expanded investment to shift to advanced weapons systems and support for developing core technologies.
Lee Je-hoon, the office’s director for administrative and defense budget review, said, “With the recent trend of declining troop numbers and changes in the nature of future warfare, fostering a smart, elite force through a transition to cutting-edge weapons systems is an important task.” He added, “When drafting the 2027 budget, we will make targeted investments in related funding to secure advanced capabilities, including unmanned-manned integrated systems such as drone and robot platforms, along with upgrading the Korean three-axis system.”
Lee also said sustained global competitiveness for K-defense requires growth across the entire ecosystem, urging major firms to share results with smaller partner companies during project implementation and to help build a fair, mutually beneficial industrial environment.
The Budget Office said it will use views raised at the meeting to refine defense investment priorities to be reflected in the 2027 budget proposal and the National Fiscal Management Plan (2026–2030).
* This article has been translated by AI.
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