Just a few years ago, drones were a weapon for special forces. Now, South Korea wants to turn them into a universal tool for the entire army. This decision was influenced not only by the experience of the war in Ukraine but also by the reduction in the number of military personnel due to demographic decline.
A South Korean soldier operates a drone during joint exercises of the South Korean and U.S. armed forces. January 13, 2023. Photo: AP Photo / Ahn Young-joon
South Korea has announced a large-scale army rearmament program. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, over the next three years, the army will receive about 60,000 drones, and eventually, all soldiers will be trained to operate them.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back called drones "a game-changer in warfare." According to him, the experience of military operations in Ukraine and the Middle East has shown that drones should become as common an element of weaponry as small arms.
According to the minister, all branches of the armed forces — ground troops, navy, air force, and marines — will receive new drones.
One of the main reasons for such a reform in Seoul is North Korea's actions. According to South Korean authorities, Pyongyang has not only received drone production technologies from Russia but is also gaining practical experience in their use thanks to the participation of its military personnel in the war against Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence reported that North Korean units have already mastered reconnaissance drones, and Kim Jong Un ordered the mass production of kamikaze drones.
In response, the South Korean army plans to adopt long-range kamikaze drones, similar to those already used by Ukraine and Iran. By 2030, it also expects to purchase about 20,000 inexpensive disposable combat drones.
At the same time, Seoul intends to rely as much as possible on domestic manufacturers. The authorities want the main components for drones to be produced in South Korea itself, which will avoid dependence on supplies from China.
Another reason for significant attention to drones is the demographic decline. Over the past six years, the number of active military personnel in the country has decreased by approximately 20% — to about 450,000 people. The authorities expect that the widespread use of unmanned systems will help compensate for the shortage of personnel.
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