South Korea Plans to Deploy 60,000 Military Drones and Train 500,000 'Drone Warriors' by 2029
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has announced a sweeping military drone expansion plan, targeting the deployment of approximately 60,000 drones across its Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps by 2029. The initiative also calls for training around 500,000 'Drone Warriors,' rapid procurement of over 20,000 low-cost expendable drones, and the development of AI-powered swarm systems and counter-drone capabilities.
Highlights
- South Korea's Ministry of National Defense plans to deploy approximately 60,000 military drones across all service branches by 2029.
- Around 11,000 drone systems will enter service by 2026, with over 20,000 low-cost expendable drones to be rapidly procured.
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced a target to train approximately 500,000 'Drone Warriors,' making drone operation a standard skill for all active-duty personnel.
- The plan includes AI-driven swarm systems, loitering munitions, and laser and microwave directed-energy counter-drone weapons.
- South Korea will prioritize domestic drone components and revise procurement regulations to accelerate civilian technology integration and support its homegrown drone industry.
South Korea to Deploy 60,000 Military Drones and Train 500,000 'Drone Warriors' by 2029
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has announced a large-scale expansion of its military drone and counter-drone capabilities, with plans to deploy approximately 60,000 drones across all branches of the armed forces — including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps — by 2029.
Large-Scale Procurement and Rapid Deployment
According to the Ministry, around 11,000 drone systems are set to enter service by 2026, alongside the rapid procurement of more than 20,000 low-cost expendable drones. Tens of thousands of these systems are planned for distribution to front-line combat units, with the aim of enhancing real-time operational effectiveness.
Training 500,000 'Drone Warriors'
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that the military intends to train approximately 500,000 'Drone Warriors', with the goal of ensuring every active-duty service member possesses basic drone-operating skills, making drone proficiency a core element of individual combat readiness.
AI Swarms, Loitering Munitions, and Counter-UAS Weapons
Beyond expanding the drone fleet, South Korea's plan also includes:
- Deploying AI-driven drone swarm systems to enhance collective combat capabilities
- Acquiring loitering munitions to expand precision strike options
- Introducing laser and microwave directed-energy weapons to bolster counter-UAS (C-UAS) defenses
Each branch of the military is expected to develop independent drone operational capabilities for both reconnaissance and precision strike missions.
Domestic Production and Regulatory Reform
The Ministry noted that future drone systems will prioritize domestically produced components to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The government also plans to revise defense procurement regulations to accelerate the adoption of civilian technologies and foster the growth of South Korea's homegrown drone industry.
The scale of this initiative is being viewed as a major milestone in South Korea's military modernization drive in response to regional security threats, and signals that drones will play an increasingly central role on the future battlefield.
Image credit: Junnosuke Kobara / Sources: Reuters, South Korea Ministry of National Defense
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