South Korea Accelerates Nuclear Submarine and AI Combat Programs

South Korea’s arms procurement agency has unveiled plans to accelerate the development of nuclear-powered submarines and expand the acquisition of artificial intelligence-based combat systems, placing advanced technology at the center of Seoul’s push for more self-reliant defense capabilities.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration presented the road map Tuesday during a parliamentary audit. The plan covers nuclear propulsion, unmanned naval and aerial systems, counter-drone defenses and upgraded surveillance assets. It comes as the government seeks to strengthen its ability to deter North Korean threats while preparing to regain wartime operational control of its forces from the United States.

Under the proposal, the agency will use its existing organizations and technical capabilities to develop a nuclear propulsion system and establish a construction blueprint for nuclear-powered attack submarines. The effort, known as the Jang Bogo N program, targets construction of its first vessel in the mid-2030s and operational deployment in the latter half of that decade.

The military is believed to be pursuing at least three submarines displacing about 8,000 tons each. The vessels would use high-assay low-enriched uranium enriched to below 20 percent. Seoul began advancing the project after South Korea and the United States reached a bilateral summit agreement in October last year.

The procurement agency also plans full-scale acquisition of combat unmanned systems, including uncrewed surface vessels and small attack drones. Counter-drone measures will include laser air-defense weapons and integrated networks intended for front-line border areas.

Other priorities include long-range artillery interceptors, additional Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II Aegis destroyers and a second batch of F-35A stealth fighters. Those programs are intended both to counter North Korea’s expanding military capabilities and to support Seoul’s goal of taking back wartime operational control before President Lee Jae Myung’s term ends in 2030.

Defense research funding will be directed toward AI semiconductors for guided missiles, physical-AI robotics and advanced jet engines for next-generation fighters. The agency also plans to strengthen reconnaissance and military communications through small surveillance satellites and the 425-II military spy satellite project.

The agenda reflects the Lee administration’s view that South Korea must assume a larger role in its own defense as Washington urges allies to shoulder more of the security burden. It also links the country’s established strengths in shipbuilding, semiconductors and digital technology to a long-term transformation of military procurement and operations.