The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is reported to be considering a comprehensive order method to place an order for five follow-up ships at once, excluding one lead ship in the Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX) project, as of the 14th. The comprehensive order method has been unprecedented, interpreted as a measure considering the delays in the project itself.
According to DAPA and the defense industry on the 14th, DAPA will hold a subcommittee meeting around 2 p.m. on the 17th. The subcommittee will deliberate on the detailed design of KDDX, the construction method for the lead ship, and whether to adopt the comprehensive ordering method for the follow-up ships. A DAPA official noted, "We are examining various ways to efficiently push forward the KDDX project, and (the comprehensive order) is one of them."
The comprehensive order is unusual. For example, with seven ships to be built, DAPA has been selecting contractors sequentially by awarding the highest scoring companies with the first and second bids and then putting the third and fourth bids back up for auction. Nevertheless, the fact that a comprehensive order is being considered is due to delays in the construction project. The construction of the lead ship has been delayed due to legal disputes between HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, and as a result, the production of the follow-up ships has also been postponed.
Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yong-mo expressed concerns regarding delays in naval power enhancement in a letter sent to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean at the end of February.
However, for the comprehensive order to proceed, a plan for the construction of the follow-up ships must be established. Based on this, it must pass through the Defense Industry Promotion Committee chaired by Acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho, among other procedures. DAPA plans to discuss the construction plan for the follow-up ships in the upcoming Defense Industry Promotion Committee meeting and finalize the plan. The committee is expected to convene next month.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that DAPA has settled on the method for the detailed design and lead ship construction of KDDX via a negotiated contract. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, responsible for the basic design of KDDX, has argued for the negotiated contract method. This is also believed to be based on considerations such as delays in power enhancement.