South Korea Kicks off Ambitious Electronic Warfare Project for Deployment in 2034

South Korea has launched a long-term electronic warfare development program aimed at deploying a new wide-area system by 2034 to counter hostile air defense and command networks.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on January 20 held a kickoff meeting for the Electronic Warfare (Block-I) System Development Project at LIG Nex1’s Pangyo House, formally initiating the program. Officials from DAPA, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Air Force, the Agency for Defense Development, the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, and LIG Nex1 attended the meeting, where participating organizations shared their system development plans.

The Electronic Warfare (Block-I) project is a research and development effort with a total budget of KRW 1.9198 trillion ($1.3 billion). It is designed to neutralize an adversary’s integrated air defense systems and radio-based command and control networks, with deployment scheduled for 2034 following development, testing, and evaluation.

According to DAPA, the system will move beyond the limited, platform-specific protection offered by existing electronic warfare equipment, enabling wide-area jamming from stand-off distances to disrupt enemy sensors and communications and support joint air operations.

The project is being conducted under an industry-led framework, with LIG Nex1 serving as the lead developer. Authorities aim to expand participation from domestic companies and research institutes, increase the proportion of locally produced components, and strengthen the domestic defense industrial ecosystem, while also supporting job creation and export competitiveness.

South Korea also plans to separately pursue an Electronic Warfare (Block-II) program, incorporating additional capabilities based on experience gained during Block-I development and future technological advances.

“Electronic warfare is a new concept weapon system that will be a game-changer on the future battlefield, and the start of this development will be a crucial milestone that will shift the paradigm of future warfare,” Jeong Gyu-heon, head of DAPA’s Future Power Business Division, said. “We will work closely with relevant organizations and do our utmost to ensure the success of this development and manage the project thoroughly.”