The Army said it will actively bring in attack drones, including loitering munitions, and sharply expand education and training so all troops can operate drones with ease.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha said at a policy briefing for the media on the 29th at Gyeryongdae that the Army aims to define drones “as a concept like personal weapons,” adding that it will enable troops to use them as freely as the standard-issue weapons carried by every combatant.
Kim said drone operations seen in Russia, Ukraine and Iran differ greatly from conditions on the Korean Peninsula, particularly in terrain, and stressed the need to develop drone doctrine and a force structure suited to South Korea.
He said drones will evolve beyond surveillance and reconnaissance to include strike missions and sustained support operations. He said the Army is working to field drones by echelon, from company level to operational command level, based on functions that match strategic and tactical objectives.
As part of its “training 500,000 drone warriors” initiative, the Army plans to introduce about 11,000 commercial drones for training this year and about 50,000 by 2029, with the goal of enabling each squad to operate one training drone. The Army is also reported to be pursuing the introduction of “battalion-level loitering munitions.”
Kim said the Army has developed its “dronebot” combat system since 2018 under its “Army Tiger” policy, but acknowledged progress has partly stalled because it has not kept pace with recent technological advances. He said the Army will accelerate efforts to field drone capabilities.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha said at a policy briefing for the media on the 29th at Gyeryongdae that the Army aims to define drones “as a concept like personal weapons,” adding that it will enable troops to use them as freely as the standard-issue weapons carried by every combatant.
Kim said drone operations seen in Russia, Ukraine and Iran differ greatly from conditions on the Korean Peninsula, particularly in terrain, and stressed the need to develop drone doctrine and a force structure suited to South Korea.
He said drones will evolve beyond surveillance and reconnaissance to include strike missions and sustained support operations. He said the Army is working to field drones by echelon, from company level to operational command level, based on functions that match strategic and tactical objectives.
As part of its “training 500,000 drone warriors” initiative, the Army plans to introduce about 11,000 commercial drones for training this year and about 50,000 by 2029, with the goal of enabling each squad to operate one training drone. The Army is also reported to be pursuing the introduction of “battalion-level loitering munitions.”
Kim said the Army has developed its “dronebot” combat system since 2018 under its “Army Tiger” policy, but acknowledged progress has partly stalled because it has not kept pace with recent technological advances. He said the Army will accelerate efforts to field drone capabilities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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