The South Korean Defense budget progression plan shows to what extent the country considers the international situation, and in particular the tensions with its North Korean neighbor, China and Russia, to be very worrying. This progression will be 7,1% per year for 5 years, representing a total progression of 40% over the planning period. Over this period, Seoul will have invested €85 billion in its equipment (acquisition and modernization), and €155 billion in personnel, infrastructure and training costs. Which represents, on an annual average, a loan budget of $48 billion and €51 billion in growth, or €46 billion, bringing the country to a level of spending equal to that of France in 2025, despite being a member nuclear nation. permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Among the urgent investments to which the South Korean government is prioritizing, anti-missile defense programs alone will receive $28 billion over the period 2020-2024. Among these programs, the KM-SAM, designed in partnership with Russia, is based on a medium-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile system, using a missile close to the 9M96 of the S400, and capable of intercepting North Korean missiles. in descending phase, including, according to Seoul, those used in recent weeks, and whose flight profile poses so many problems for American Anti-Missile Defense. This budget will also be used to accelerate the development of the L-SAM program, intended to intercept missiles at very high altitude, such as the American THAAD.
Additionally, South Korea announced the construction of 2 aircraft carriers of 30.000 tonnes, new surface buildings, new submarines, new 5th generation K-FX fighter et the acquisition of F35A and B, as well as in a significant number of programs aimed at to replace and strengthen its armored force.
The South Korean armed forces are 600.000 strong and 3 million reservists. In 2019, they had a budget of $36 billion, representing 2,6% of national GDP, placing the country 10th in the world for defense investments.