South Korea has announced an ambitious plan to train every member of its nearly 500,000-strong military to operate drones as easily as they handle personal firearms. The goal is to maintain a technological edge in the decades-long standoff with North Korea, which boasts a larger army. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated in a June 26 briefing that drones will become a "universal combat tool" for all troops, used as a "second personal weapon."
Drones as a Second Personal Weapon for 500,000 Troops
The plan involves equipping every military unit with cheap, expendable drones for surveillance and strike missions. Ahn explained that training will be phased, starting with infantry units and covering the entire army by 2030. This massive approach aims to make drones pervasive on the battlefield while reducing reliance on specialized operators. According to government sources, the program will cost approximately $2 billion over five years, including the development of laser and microwave countermeasures to neutralize enemy drones.
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Reorganization of Drone Command and Industrial Collaboration
Simultaneously, South Korea is reorganizing its drone operations command, which previously had direct authority over combat units, to focus on collaborating with private industry in developing and procuring commercial drone technology. The Korea Times reports that this restructuring aims to leverage civilian sector innovation, accelerating the adoption of advanced solutions. While the country pivots toward drone warfare, the tech world is also undergoing significant shifts, as highlighted in our article on OpenAI tightening access in Europe, an example of how artificial intelligence is redefining boundaries and strategies.
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Inspiration from Ukraine and Middle East Conflicts
Minister Ahn explicitly cited the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East as inspirations for these reforms. In Ukraine, the massive use of modified commercial drones has demonstrated the effectiveness of low-cost aircraft in both offensive and defensive roles. South Korea intends to replicate this model, adapting it to its own geopolitical context. Unlike other countries that focus on expensive high-tech drones, Seoul prefers modular, scalable solutions that can be mass-produced. According to Wikipedia, drones are revolutionizing modern warfare, and South Korea's decision marks a concrete step toward this new era.
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The initiative comes amid high tensions between the two Koreas, with North Korea continuing to test missiles and drones. Training the entire military in drone operation could radically change conflict dynamics, making every soldier an unmanned systems operator. The challenge now will be implementing the program at scale while ensuring technology does not fall into enemy hands.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/south-korea-plans-to-train-entire-military-as-drone-warriors
