South Korea's Ministry of Defense Releases Plan for Reorganization of Drone Operations Command
[Global Times Special Correspondent Mang Jiuchen in South Korea] South Korean Defense Minister An Gyu-beom announced at a press conference on the 26th that the deployment of the South Korean version of the long-range self-destructing drone system "K-LUCAS" will be accelerated.
According to Yonhap News Agency, An Gyu-beom held a press conference at the Ministry of National Defense office building in Seoul on the 26th, where he released a drone and anti-drone development policy that included the aforementioned content. "K-LUCAS" may draw inspiration from the U.S. low-cost unmanned combat aerial system "LUCAS."
An Gyu-beom also stated that more than 20,000 short-range reconnaissance drones, small self-destructing drones, and other low-cost disposable drones will be rapidly equipped, along with swarm drones powered by artificial intelligence technology, to respond to changes in future battlefield environments. South Korea plans to develop high-tech directed energy weapons such as lasers and high-power microwaves to counter the threat of low-cost drones and to ensure a variety of means for low-cost interception of drones as soon as possible. The Ministry of National Defense reiterated its commitment to train "500,000 drone warriors."
Yonhap News Agency reported that in recent regional conflicts, low-cost drones have played a significant role as a "cost-effective" weapon system to deplete the enemy's expensive air defense networks. Some have pointed out that to effectively respond to such battlefield changes, it is necessary to flexibly establish a response system. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense also announced a reorganization plan for the drone operations command. According to the plan, the drone operations command will be renamed the National Defense Drone Headquarters, and its operational functions will be dispersed to various military branches. The National Defense Drone Headquarters will henceforth be responsible for concept research and demand discovery in the field of drone and anti-drone development, supporting equipment procurement for various military branches, and promoting cooperation with relevant industries and institutions.
South Korea's Minister of National Defense, Lee Jong-sup, announced on October 26, 2023, the acceleration of the K-LUCAS drone system deployment and the restructuring of its drone command in Seoul. The plan includes equipping over 20,000 drones, including reconnaissance and suicide drones, and developing advanced technologies like AI and directed energy weapons to adapt to future battlefield environments.
- South Korea plans to deploy over 20,000 drones including K-LUCAS and reconnaissance drones.
- The drone command will be restructured into a Defense Drone Headquarters.
- The new drone systems will include AI technology and directed energy weapons.
- The Ministry of National Defense aims to train 500,000 drone operators.
- Low-cost drones are seen as effective against expensive enemy air defense systems.