South Korea 500,000 drone warrior project 2026: Military to train all conscripts
South Korea's military will launch the '500,000 drone warrior' project in 2026, training all conscripts in drone operation with a 33 billion won budget.
500,000 soldiers are about to become drone specialists. South Korea's Defense Ministry announced that starting next year, every conscript will receive drone operation training to bolster combat readiness for the age of modern warfare.
South Korea 500,000 drone warrior project 2026 budget and goals
According to Yonhap, the military has allocated 33 billion won (US$22.9 million) for 2026 to acquire approximately 11,000 small commercial drones. It's a strategic move to integrate low-cost, high-efficiency technology that's redefined battlefields globally. The initiative, dubbed the '500,000 drone warrior' project, aims to transform the entire military into a tech-savvy force.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back noted that this isn't just about firepower. He's emphasized that training 500,000 warriors will create a 'foundation' for troops to transition into drone-related industries after their discharge. By doing so, the military addresses both immediate defense needs and long-term economic contributions.
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