South Korea Plans to Purchase 20,000 Military Drones

South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek announced that the country plans to purchase 20,000 military drones to repel threats from North Korea. The decision comes after analyzing recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where the mass use of low-cost drones has significantly changed warfare.

The minister emphasized that drones have become a decisive factor on the battlefield. South Korea is technically still at war with North Korea, as the 1950–1953 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. North Korea continues to develop unmanned systems, posing increasing threats not only to South Korean military installations but also to critical infrastructure and civilian targets.

The government will accelerate the introduction of its Korean Long-Endurance Unmanned Combat Attack System (K-LUCAS), similar to the U.S. LUCAS system, which was developed through reverse engineering of Iran's "Shahed" attack drones. The military also plans to purchase over 20,000 low-cost disposable drones, without disclosing the source.

Work will also be done on developing AI-driven drone swarms. Starting next year, South Korea will deploy counter-drone systems along its front lines. Long-term plans include adding lasers, high-power microwave systems, and low-cost interceptors to its arsenal.

The ministry reaffirmed its goal to train 500,000 "drone soldiers" who will use drones as a "second personal weapon." For training, about 60,000 locally manufactured commercial drones will be purchased. The Drone Operations Command, established in 2023, will be reorganized into the new Defense Drone Headquarters.