Defense Acquisition Program Administration renames submarine project group

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has renamed its existing temporary Korean-type submarine project group the nuclear-powered submarine project group while retaining its organization. The amendment cites the need for a systematic response to the nuclear-powered submarine project as the reason for the change. In its work plan for the second half of 2026, the agency listed preparing to launch the project as a core defense-capability acquisition task.

The presidential decree, promulgated Aug. 14 after State Council deliberation, converts the existing temporary Korean-type submarine project group into the nuclear-powered submarine project group while retaining its organization. It extends the unit's mandate through Aug. 14, 2029, from Dec. 31, 2026, and took effect upon promulgation.

Located within the agency's Future Force Project Headquarters, the group will formulate nuclear-powered submarine development and domestic-production plans, coordinate and control domestic-production work, analyze and evaluate development progress, and establish and implement procurement-execution plans for defense-capability improvement projects, including contract management. The amendment temporarily adds 17 personnel to the group: seven grade-five, six grade-six and four grade-seven officials.