According to the Defense Ministry's 2027 budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly, the military has allocated 131.9 billion won ($98 million) for special forces infiltration equipment, up more than 13-fold from 9.8 billion won this year.
The planned purchases will cover 16,652 pieces of equipment, compared with 1,003 this year and 741 in 2025.
The equipment includes 13 types of high-altitude infiltration gear and 11 types of underwater infiltration equipment, designed to support special forces missions behind enemy lines.
The ministry told lawmakers that the increase was necessary to ensure South Korean special forces could independently carry out missions following the OPCON transfer.
It also said the military had expanded its high-altitude infiltration teams, requiring additional equipment for airborne operations.
Among the planned acquisitions is the RA-1 tactical parachute system, which is expected to replace the MC-4 parachutes currently used by South Korean special forces.
The spending increase comes as Seoul and Washington seek to establish a permanent Combined Special Operations Component Command by the end of this year.
Since 2019, the two allies have been working to convert six combined component commands into standing organizations in preparation for the OPCON transfer.
Four of the six commands have completed the transition, with the special operations command scheduled to follow this year.
The remaining combined command responsible for military information support operations is expected to become a permanent organization in 2027.
South Korea has been seeking to regain wartime operational control from the United States, with the transfer dependent on assessments of the country's military capabilities and the allies' combined defense readiness.
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