Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering, Construction of Destroyer Land Test Site Begins

Completion in 2026, Operation Start Targeted for 2027

The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Land-Based Test Site (LBTS) for the KDDX destroyer combat system's testing, evaluation, and training at the Samcheok Marine Research Center in Gangwon Province. The combat system serves as the brain of the warship. It is a core system that integrates and operates multiple sensors, weapons, communication equipment, and navigation systems.

According to ADD on the 19th, the Navy currently operates Aegis destroyers equipped with the U.S. 'Aegis' combat system, which is regarded as the most advanced combat system in existence.

The Korean next-generation destroyer, KDDX, is expected to be equipped with a domestically developed combat system comparable to Aegis, and related testing and verification will be conducted at the Land-Based Test Site. The LBTS allows for pre-verification and testing of the combat system on land to reduce trial and error during actual ship installation, accumulate related data, and facilitate future performance upgrades, repairs, and maintenance, thereby ensuring efficient combat operations.

The test site covers approximately 6,700 square meters and is scheduled for completion in June 2026, with operations planned to begin in 2027. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to use the test site not only for the KDDX combat system but also for enhancing the performance and adding functions to all currently operated combat systems. This concept is similar to the Combat System Engineering Development Site (CSEDS), a key facility in the development of the U.S. Aegis combat system.

A government official stated, "We will strive to enhance the combat capabilities of our Navy's warships and promote the export of domestically developed combat systems."