South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced plans to deploy the K-Lucas long-range suicide drone system and acquire over 20,000 low-cost drones by 2030, reforming its drone command to bolster defenses against evolving threats, including North Korea's unmanned aerial capabilities.
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has launched a project to develop interceptor drones capable of detecting and physically colliding with enemy 'suicide drones.' The initiative aims to counter low-altitude threats and explore cost-effective mass development.
Shield AI will integrate its Hivemind autonomous flight system into the US Army's LUCAS suicide drones, enabling swarm attack capabilities. This aims to create a mass-producible, low-cost drone swarm for high-threat environments, with operational verification expected in Fall 2026.
South Korea's Army is reviewing the deployment of suicide drones and reconnaissance drones to battalion-level units as part of its modernization push. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha said drones will become as essential as personal firearms for all combatants. The service plans to introduce 11,000 educational drones this year and deploy over 50,000 operational drones by 2029, with the goal of transforming all Army units under the advanced TIGER concept by 2040.
