South Korea will train all of its military forces as drone operators in a sweeping overhaul of its warfare strategy, the defence minister announced on Friday. The plan aims to train 500,000 authorised personnel across the army, navy, air force, and marines to become "drone warriors," according to the defence ministry.
Drones as 'game changer on the battlefield'
Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that all soldiers should be able to use drones like a second personal firearm. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated that drones are now a "game changer on the battlefield," Ahn said. "Low-cost drones operated in large numbers are fundamentally changing the nature of warfare," he added, warning that North Korea continues to develop its weapons capabilities, increasing threats to military and civilian facilities in the South.
Procurement plans and domestic development
The military plans to procure about 11,000 commercial drones for training purposes by the end of this year, rising to 60,000 by 2029, alongside more than 20,000 low-cost disposable combat drones by 2030. Seoul also announced it would fast-track a domestically developed long-range loitering munition called K-Lucas. This system takes its name and concept from the American Lucas (low-cost uncrewed combat attack system) drone, itself reverse-engineered from Iran's Shahed-136 suicide drone, which Russia deploys extensively in Ukraine.
Counter-drone systems and security concerns
South Korea's plan includes expanding counter-drone systems such as laser and high-power microwave weapons. The announcement comes amid concern about North Korea's drone capabilities, following a deeply embarrassing episode in 2022 when five small North Korean drones breached South Korean airspace. One entered the no-fly zone above the presidential office in Seoul. The military scrambled jets and attack helicopters and fired about 100 shots, failing to down a single drone.
North Korea's growing drone capabilities
North Korea's drone capabilities have grown considerably, in part through its deepening military partnership with Russia, which analysts say has given Pyongyang access to battlefield data and tactics it would otherwise have taken years to develop. Pyongyang has deployed thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, giving its military direct exposure to drone warfare at scale.
Kim Jong-un oversees missile tests
North Korea announced on Friday that leader Kim Jong-un had overseen tests of tactical ballistic missiles and an upgraded rocket artillery system with a firing range of 90km, in what Pyongyang said were efforts to bolster firepower along its southern border. Kim has also pledged to expand North Korea's nuclear arsenal at what he called an "exponential rate," describing nuclear expansion as the "most correct and unique way" to confront an increasingly unstable world.
