Gyeryong: The South Korean Army is reviewing deploying "suicide drones" to battalion-level units as part of its modernization push, according to Army officials.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during a media briefing held at the Army headquarters in Gyeryong, south of Seoul, the Army announced its initiative to assess the deployment of suicide drones and reconnaissance drones at the battalion level and below in a timely manner. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha emphasized the importance of making drones as freely operable as personal firearms for all combatants.

The Army also plans to introduce approximately 11,000 drones for educational purposes this year, with the goal of deploying over 50,000 operational drones by 2029. This initiative will enable the operation of one educational drone per squad unit. The Army TIGER project, introduced in 2018, aims to equip Army units with manned-unmanned teaming combat systems capable of conducting multi-domain operations, transforming all units by 2040.

Gen. Kim acknowledged the Army's lag in technology adoption speed but committed to expediting the deployment of drones in the military. He highlighted the significant technological advances in drones and robots that have occurred since the project's inception, particularly in light of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Last year, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back disclosed plans to nurture 500,000 "drone warriors," emphasizing the role of unmanned systems as a "game changer" in modern warfare. The military's vision includes training all conscripts in drone operation.

Regarding the plan to reduce troops deployed to border units from 22,000 to 6,000 by 2040, Gen. Kim expressed confidence in its feasibility within the set timeframe, although he noted that an immediate reduction is not currently plausible. The plan, revealed by Defense Minister Ahn earlier this month, involves replacing troops with artificial intelligence-powered surveillance systems, raising concerns about potential surveillance capability gaps.