C4I

South Korea has completed deployment of the second performance upgrade of its Army Tactical Command Information System (ATCIS), finalizing fielding of the modernized command-and-control network to frontline units, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on January 26. According to DAPA, the upgrade program has been successfully concluded and the system is now fully operational across Republic of Korea Army formations. The project modernizes the Army’s core tactical command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) infrastructure, enabling real-time sharing and analysis of battlefield information at multiple command levels. DAPA said the program was carried out in cooperation with the South Korean Army, Samsung SDS, and domestic information technology specialists, who jointly developed a system capable of handling larger volumes of data and connecting a wider range of weapon systems and sensors. The agency stated that this has expanded the Army’s ability to distribute operational information, which is a central requirement for modern combat operations. ATCIS is the Republic of Korea Army’s primary digital command information system, used to link commanders, combat units, and supporting elements across the battlefield. The upgraded version allows complex operational data to be shared and processed in real time, supporting faster decision-making and coordinated maneuver at the tactical level. DAPA said the completed upgrade also establishes the digital foundation for artificial intelligence–based manned-unmanned teaming operations. Under the new architecture, AI systems can analyze large volumes of data to support commanders’ decisions, while unmanned platforms such as drones and ground robots can exchange information and operate alongside manned units in coordinated missions. The agency emphasized that all key software and data-processing technologies used in the upgraded system were developed domestically, demonstrating South Korea’s independent defense software capabilities. Officials said the project validates the country’s ability to build and sustain complex military command systems without relying on foreign suppliers. The ATCIS upgrade is part of South Korea’s broader effort to digitize its ground forces and prepare for high-tempo, data-driven operations on the Korean Peninsula. The system is designed to operate in contested environments where rapid information flow and resilient communications are essential for maintaining command continuity. DAPA also confirmed that the software and data technologies developed under the ATCIS second upgrade program will be used as a core building block for the future Korean Joint Command and Control System. That national program aims to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force into a single operational network, enabling joint operations through a unified digital command structure. Jeong Gyu-heon, head of DAPA’s Future Force Program Bureau, said the project’s completion reflects years of coordinated work across government and industry. “Thanks to the dedication of all those involved in this project, we were able to complete a system that matches the future battlefield environment,” Jeong said. “Based on this achievement, we will do our best to secure advanced capabilities so that South Korea can advance as a leading global defense industry nation.” The Republic of Korea Army has increasingly focused on digital command systems as it prepares for operations that require rapid coordination between sensors, shooters, and maneuver units. The upgraded ATCIS system provides a standardized digital backbone for these efforts and supports the integration of emerging technologies such as autonomous systems and AI-enabled decision support tools.

C4I

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C4I

South Korea fields ATCIS C4I upgrade to Army units