South Korea Plans to Train 450,000 Troops as Drone Warriors, Minister Announces June 26

According to Minister Ahn Gyu-back, South Korea announced on June 26 plans to train its entire 450,000-strong military to operate drones as universal combat tools, treating them like a "second personal weapon." The initiative aims to maintain technological advantage against North Korea's 1.2 million active-duty military, reported Reuters.

The military will equip individual units with cheaper, expendable drones for surveillance and strike missions, while deploying counter-drone lasers and microwave weapons. South Korea's former drone operations command headquarters will be reorganized to focus on collaborating with industry on developing and procuring commercial drone technology, according to The Korea Times.