Republic of Korea plans to train 500,000 drone operators
The Republic of Korea plans to train about 500,000 people — virtually every serviceman — to operate unmanned aerial vehicles.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek stated this during a briefing.
"We plan to boost the domestic drone manufacturing industry and train 500,000 drone operators," Ahn Gyu-baek said. "In the future, the drone should become a universal fire weapon that every soldier will use, rather than a special tool used by specialized units and servicemen," the minister said.
"The Ministry of Defense intends to train 500,000 drone operators so that every soldier can use it as a second personal weapon," Ahn Gyu-baek stated.
The authorities announced similar plans in the second half of 2025. In 2025, the number of soldiers and officers on active duty in the armed forces of the Republic of Korea was approximately 450,000 people.
At the same time, the defense minister explained that by the end of 2026, about 11,000 UAVs will be supplied to the troops for training, and by 2029 — 60,000 devices.
