This question is no longer limited to military analysts. It has become a central part of defence planning in many countries. South Korea is one of them, having begun a major overhaul of its military strategy in response to the changing nature of modern warfare.
For decades, a country s military strength was measured by the number of tanks, warships, fighter aircraft and soldiers it possessed. However, recent conflicts have challenged that traditional perception.
According to defence experts, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated that relatively inexpensive First Person View (FPV) and kamikaze drones are capable of destroying expensive tanks, armoured vehicles and even sophisticated air defence systems. As a result, drones are increasingly being regarded as one of the defining weapons of modern warfare.
Why is South Korea concerned?
South Korea s capital, Seoul, lies only a short distance from the border with North Korea, and tensions between the two countries have persisted for decades.
In recent years, North Korea has not only expanded its ballistic missile programme but has also accelerated the development of drone technology.
Those concerns became a reality in December 2022 when several North Korean drones entered South Korean airspace. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in South Korea s air defence system and prompted the government to reassess its military strategy.
Defence analysts believe the episode clearly showed that future threats will no longer be limited to missiles or conventional air strikes.
Training 500,000 soldiers
In response, South Korea has launched a programme to train nearly 500,000 military personnel in drone and counter-drone operations.
The objective is to ensure that every soldier can operate modern drone systems for surveillance, combat and defensive missions alongside conventional weapons.
The government argues that winning future wars will require not only advanced military hardware but also highly trained personnel capable of using these technologies effectively.
60,000 drones by 2029
Alongside training, South Korea is rapidly expanding its domestic drone manufacturing capabilities.
Under the government s plan, nearly 60,000 locally produced drones will be supplied to the army, navy and air force by 2029, with around 11,000 expected to become operational during the initial phase.
A key aspect of the programme is the decision to avoid using Chinese-made components in military drones to reduce cybersecurity risks, protect sensitive military information and minimise supply chain vulnerabilities.
In addition, South Korea is incorporating advanced laser-based counter-drone systems into its border defence strategy. These systems are designed to neutralise hostile drones at a significantly lower cost than conventional missile interceptors.
Not just South Korea
The global race for drone technology extends far beyond South Korea.
The United States, China, Russia, Türkiye and several European countries are investing billions of dollars in drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous combat systems and unmanned military platforms.
According to defence experts, success in future conflicts will no longer depend solely on which country possesses the largest army or the greatest number of tanks. Instead, military superiority will belong to those who can gather intelligence more quickly, make faster battlefield decisions and deliver highly effective strikes at a lower cost.
For this reason, many analysts believe drones are evolving from a supporting weapon into the central pillar of modern warfare, and South Korea s new defence strategy reflects this rapidly changing military reality.
