The country’s Ministry of Defense announced this on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Defense Minister An Gyu-baek reported that the military initially planned to produce 110,000 drones by 2029 for the army, navy, air force, and marine corps. However, the ministry later revised this figure to about 60,000, with approximately 11,000 set to be delivered to the troops as early as 2026. The systems are intended to be distributed across all branches of the military, making drones a standard component of every servicemember’s equipment.
“Drones should no longer be equipment used by a limited number of units, but should become a universal combat tool,” said An Gyu-baek at a briefing, adding that the military should use them as a “second personal weapon.” He also noted that Seoul would exclusively use domestic components instead of Chinese parts for security reasons.
Expanding capabilities and lessons from conflicts
The announcement came amid the active development of unmanned capabilities by both Koreas, influenced by lessons from the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, where drones have become a decisive factor on the battlefield. “Cheap drones used en masse are radically changing the nature of warfare,” said An Gyu-baek, warning that North Korea is also actively developing unmanned systems, increasing threats to South Korea’s military and civilian facilities.
South Korea’s plan includes expanding drone countermeasure systems, such as high-power laser and microwave weapons, as well as changing operational approaches so that each branch of the military can independently conduct reconnaissance and strike missions using drones without relying on centralized command. A high-ranking defense official reported that the military also plans to quickly procure more than 20,000 inexpensive disposable drones and introduce AI-based swarm systems and kamikaze drones.
The ministry also plans to revise procurement rules to accelerate the introduction of civilian technologies and stimulate the development of the national drone industry. The expansion of the program is taking place against the backdrop of political discussions about drone operations under the previous administration.
Political context and demographic decline
This month, a court in South Korea sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison in a case related to a military drone operation against North Korea, which prosecutors claimed was intended to justify an attempt to impose martial law in 2024. The government of current President Lee Jae-myung disbanded the drone operations command following these accusations. The new structure, announced on Friday, will focus on policy development, capability enhancement, and support, while operations will remain with individual military units.
South Korea is also facing the consequences of demographic decline, compelling the military to increasingly rely on automation and unmanned systems to maintain combat capabilities.
Source: The Hindu