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South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is advancing initiatives to develop and certify defense-grade semiconductors to mitigate reliance on foreign supply chains, which could delay weapons deployment and impact arms export competitiveness. DAPA launched a task force in January 2024 to establish a Defense Semiconductor Center, focusing on project planning, reliability evaluation, and certification.

The agency has initiated R&D projects on components for radar and space communications, with five core technology projects selected in May, four of which are set to commence within the year. A defense semiconductor forum was held in November to engage government, industry, and researchers.

Key challenges include creating a reliable ecosystem for production and certification, as defense semiconductors must withstand extreme conditions. Investment in specialized areas and an end-to-end supply chain is essential for success.