▲ This file photo shows cheap suicide drones displayed at a drone exhibition in Incheon, west of Seoul, on May 9, 2024. (Yonhap)

DAPA-drone project

DAPA launches project to develop hard-kill interceptor drones to counter 'suicide drones'

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- The state arms procurement agency said Friday it has launched an interceptor drone development project to better respond to "suicide drones" changing the modern warfare landscape.

Under the project, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) seeks to develop interceptor drone systems aimed at detecting and physically colliding with an enemy suicide drone.

The envisioned drone systems will be capable of detecting targets through an infrared search-and-track system and using a hard-kill method to intercept them.

Through the project, DAPA plans to test its capabilities to respond to medium-sized suicide drones infiltrating at low altitude while bypassing low-altitude air defense systems. It will also review the potential for mass development of the weapons systems as a cost-effective means.

The Defense Rapid Acquisition Technology Research Institute will invest 17 billion won (US$11.27 million) over the span of two years for the research and development of the envisioned drone systems.

The project will proceed as part of a rapid acquisition initiative aimed at swiftly procuring innovative items from the private sector for military purposes.

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]