South Korea to train entire military as drone operators

South Korea plans to train every single member of its nearly half-million-strong military to operate drones as easily as they handle personal firearms. This ambitious goal was announced as the South Korean military seeks to maintain a technological edge in its 70-year border standoff with the larger military of a hostile North Korea. The goal is to make drones a “universal combat tool” for all troops by training them to use drones like a “second personal weapon,” said Ahn Gyu-back, South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, in a June 26 briefing reported by Reuters and other media outlets.

The announcement coincides with broader plans to equip individual military units with more cheap and expendable drones for surveillance and strike missions, along with deploying more counter-drone lasers and microwave weapons. Meanwhile, South Korea’s former drone operations command headquarters that used to have direct command authority over combat units will be reorganized to focus on collaborating with South Korean industry on developing and procuring commercial drone technology, according to The Korea Times. The South Korean defense minister specifically cited the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as inspiring such military reforms with a focus on drone technologies.

Why this matters: South Korea's plan to train its entire military in drone operations reflects a growing recognition of the importance of unmanned systems in modern warfare. By making drones a standard tool for all troops, South Korea aims to enhance its military's flexibility and responsiveness, particularly in its longstanding standoff with North Korea. This move also signals a shift towards more decentralized and adaptable military operations, where smaller units can operate with greater autonomy.

For developers and businesses, this could drive demand for more advanced and user-friendly drone technologies. However, it also raises questions about the potential proliferation of drone technology and the need for international norms and regulations to govern its use. As drone warfare becomes more widespread, the global community will need to grapple with the implications of this emerging reality.