The South Korean Ministry of Defense has announced a large-scale program for the development of drone systems. By 2029, the country's armed forces plan to acquire 110,000 drones and train about 500,000 operators.
According to the plan, drones will be equipped for the army, navy, air force, and marine corps. Tens of thousands of devices will be sent to units stationed at the border with North Korea. This was reported by Reuters.
"Drones should no longer be a weapon used only by individual units. They must become a universal combat tool," said Defense Minister An Kyoo-bak. According to him, military personnel should perceive drones as "a second personal weapon."
The authorities are paying special attention to import substitution. New drone systems will be produced exclusively from domestic components — without using Chinese parts. The ministry explains this by national security requirements.
In addition, Seoul intends to accelerate the procurement of advanced technologies and expand the capabilities of the national defense industry.
The program includes the procurement of more than 20,000 cheap disposable drones, the implementation of swarm systems based on artificial intelligence, the development of loitering munitions, as well as means to combat drones, including laser and microwave weapons.
