The state arms procurement agency said Monday it has completed the deployment of new handheld transceivers for special operations forces to allow communications even in underground facilities.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) recently wrapped up the 12.8 billion-won (US$9.3 million) project to locally purchase the devices to enhance operational capabilities of special forces.

The new device is able to function as a mutual repeater to extend range, enabling communications in situations where radio waves are obstructed, such as underground, according to DAPA.

“(The device) is expected to greatly contribute to reinforcing special forces’ capabilities against North Korean threats,” a DAPA official said in a release.

Source: Yonhap News Agency