The state arms procurement agency said Thursday it plans to complete delivering a new handheld communication device to special operations units by November this year to replace aging equipment.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has been delivering the satellite positioning report equipment to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps units after signing a deal with a local satellite communication company, Arion Communication, in December.

The military’s existing positioning report equipment has been in use for over 10 years and requires a separate mobile device for voice calls and data transmission. The new equipment has such functions on its own by utilizing low Earth orbit communications satellites.

DAPA said the new device is expected to be utilized as key communication equipment for special operations troops in overseas missions to protect South Korean nationals.

Source: Yonhap News Agency