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| ▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (C) inspects a drone during his visit to the Army's 36th Division in Wonju, some 90 kilometers east of Seoul, on Sept. 4, 2025, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (front) tests an anti-drone gun during his visit to the Army's 36th Division in Wonju, some 90 kilometers east of Seoul, on Sept. 4, 2025, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) military-drones
(LEAD) Defense chief unveils plan to foster drone capabilities across military
(ATTN: RECASTS lead; ADDS photos, remarks)
By Lee Minji
WONJU, South Korea, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday unveiled a plan to strengthen drone and anti-drone capabilities across the military to better utilize the effective but low-cost combat equipment that has emerged as a "game changer" in modern warfare.
Under the plan, dubbed the "500,000 drone warrior" project, the military plans to offer all conscripts drone operation training opportunities, according to the ministry.
The ministry expected such a plan to help all conscripts familiarize themselves with drones while enhancing the military's combat power.
In conjunction with the plan, the military will acquire commercial drone equipment for training to secure a stable supply of drones from the civilian sector while helping foster the domestic drone manufacturing industry.
The ministry has allocated 20.5 billion won (US$14.7 million) for the project in the defense budget proposal for next year submitted to the National Assembly, which includes the cost to acquire 11,184 drones for training.
"Drones have become a game changer in modern warfare," Ahn said. "Efforts to nurture 500,000 drone warriors will not only strengthen the military's drone operation capabilities but will serve as a foundation for troops to work in relevant industries after completing their service."
Ahn said the military will aim to secure more than 50,000 drones for training in the longer term. The military currently owns around 300 drones for education purpose.
Ahn called for efforts to help foster new growth engines for the country's economy, noting how former President Kim Dae-jung had launched computer education for conscripts to help nurture the country's information technology sector.
As part of such efforts, Ahn designated the Army's 36th Division in Wonju, some 90 kilometers east of Seoul, as the military's first test-bed unit to verify civilian drones for military use.
The unit's location, which enables tests in both in urban and mountainous areas, as well as the experience of using drones for surveillance operations during the Winter Youth Olympics in 2024 were factored in, the ministry said.
The ministry plans to review designating additional military units as test beds for different types of drones.
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