S. Korea to open test center for combat system of next-generation Navy destroyers

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government is set to unveil a land-based test facility for the combat system of the country's next-generation Navy destroyers, officials announced Thursday. The Land Based Test System for the next-generation destroyers will be inaugurated at the Samcheok Maritime Research Center, operated by the Agency for Defense Development, later in the day, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

This marks the largest on-ground test center in South Korea for destroyers' combat systems. The test base is slated to commence operations in 2027. The 6,700-square-meter facility aims to identify any technical issues of the combat system prior to its installation on the Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) destroyers. The KDDX project involves constructing six 7,000-ton-class Aegis destroyers, equipped with advanced weaponry systems developed domestically.

The combat system, a crucial component of such a destroyer, integrates various sensors, communication, and navigation systems to detect and counter enemy threats. The next-generation destroyers are anticipated to emerge as one of the Navy's core strategic assets, offering capabilities similar to those of the current 7,100-ton King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers, which are currently the service's most powerful warships.

DAPA intends to leverage the test base for long-term development of advanced technology for combat systems, as part of its strategy to minimize reliance on foreign technology.