South Korea To Train 500,000 Drone Warriors As Seoul Ramps Up Defences Against North Korea | Nigeria TV Info

South Korea Expands Drone Warfare Strategy

South Korea has unveiled an ambitious defence plan to train 500,000 "drone warriors" as part of a major effort to strengthen its military against growing threats from North Korea.

The initiative will see drones become a standard tool across the country's armed forces, with thousands of unmanned aerial systems deployed to frontline units. Military officials say the programme is designed to improve surveillance, reconnaissance, precision strikes, and overall battlefield readiness.

According to the South Korean Defence Ministry, around 11,000 drones are expected to be introduced in 2026, with the long-term goal of expanding drone capabilities across the army, navy, air force, and marines. The government also plans to acquire more than 20,000 low-cost combat drones while accelerating the development of AI-powered drone swarms and advanced counter-drone technologies.

Defence officials said the programme reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts, where drones have become a key element of modern warfare. Seoul also aims to rely on domestically produced drone components to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

The move comes as tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, with both South Korea and North Korea investing heavily in unmanned military technologies and strengthening their defence capabilities.

Why It Matters

South Korea's latest defence strategy highlights the growing importance of drone warfare in modern military operations. The initiative is expected to improve national security while helping the country adapt to future battlefield challenges and address manpower shortages caused by demographic changes.