South Korea's defense ministry announced a comprehensive program to make drones a standard weapon for its armed forces. By 2029, about 500,000 troops will be trained to operate drones, and roughly 60,000 units will be allocated to army, navy, air force and marine units, with 11,000 systems entering service in 2026 alone. The defense minister said drones will become the "second personal weapon" for every soldier, not just specialist units.
The plan also includes acquiring over 20,000 low‑cost loitering munitions, AI‑driven swarm attack systems, and advanced ammunition. Anti‑drone capabilities such as laser and microwave weapons, and a focus on domestically produced components, are part of the effort, which draws lessons from the Ukraine war and Middle‑East conflicts to counter North Korean threats.