South Korea plans to train entire military as "drone warriors"

Key Points:

• South Korea aims to train all 500,000 active military personnel to operate drones as easily as personal firearms, intending to make drones a "universal combat tool" amid ongoing tensions with North Korea.
• The military plans to equip units with more affordable drones for surveillance and strikes, alongside deploying counter-drone laser and microwave weapons, while reorganizing its former drone command to focus on industry collaboration.
• Challenges include a shrinking conscript force due to declining birthrates, the goal to deploy only 60,000 drones by 2029, and the need to source drones entirely free of Chinese components amid security concerns.
• South Korea draws inspiration from Ukraine’s drone warfare model, which emphasizes specialized drone operator teams, a dedicated Unmanned Systems Forces branch, and a robust domestic drone industry rather than training all soldiers as drone pilots.
• The US, with 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, is also enhancing drone training and counter-drone capabilities, reflecting a broader trend influenced by Ukraine’s use of drones in modern warfare.