South Korea Unveils 500,000 'Drone Warriors' Strategy With 20,000+ Drones by 2030
drones drone warriors K-Lucas counter-drone laser weapons Defense Ministry domestic production
The Defense Ministry unveiled a sweeping plan to train 500,000 "drone warriors" across all military branches so every soldier can use drones as a "second personal weapon." The strategy calls for acquiring 20,000+ low-cost reconnaissance and loitering drones by 2030, producing 110,000 drones by 2029, and accelerating deployment of the K-Lucas long-range suicide drone. Counter-drone capabilities will expand with laser weapons, high-power microwave systems, and interceptor drones. All systems will use 100% domestically produced components, avoiding Chinese parts.