Press Release

On September 4, 2025, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back visited the Army’s 36th Infantry Division and designated it as the military’s first specialized test-bed unit for validating small drones and counter-drone equipment, marking a key step in the initiative to train 500,000 drone warriors.

This Defense Ministry initiative has two key objectives:

First, it aims to ensure that all soldiers acquire drone operation qualifications and hands-on experience during their military service, thereby strengthening the military’s combat capabilities; and it is designed to support veterans’ transition to the civilian workforce, helping them pursue careers as drone specialists in private sector industries after discharge.

Second, by utilizing locally produced commercial drone equipment for training, the military can serve as a leading public-sector purchaser, supporting the growth of the domestic drone industry while ensuring a stable supply of equipment for military use—a mutually beneficial, “win-win” strategy.

The Defense Ministry will foster an environment to cultivate 500,000 drone operators and strive to facilitate the rapid transfer of private sector drone technology to the military, through collaboration with relevant government ministries and domestic industries. Following consultations with financial authorities, approximately KRW 20.5 billion has been allocated for this initiative in the 2026 government budget bill.

First, through close cooperation with domestic industries and relevant government ministries, the military will procure a large quantity of small commercial drones with key components—such as motors and batteries—locally produced, to conduct various validation tests and enhance their operational usability.

Second, the military will establish training infrastructure, including dedicated sites within stationed areas, where soldiers can easily develop drone piloting skills and specialized training capabilities, such as instructor development.

Third, each military branch will study and implement pilot projects in the second half of 2025, tailored to the specific mission types and characteristics of their respective units.

Moreover, to ensure thorough technological validation of small drones and anti-drone equipment developed by the private sector, the Defense Ministry plans to consider designating additional specialized validation units tailored to the mission types of each military branch and unit.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back urged the 36th Infantry Division to make creative and diverse efforts to transfer its drone operation capabilities and expertise to other units, and to serve as a central testbed where advanced technologies such as AI-enabled equipment can be rapidly validated for military use. “During the late 1990s, former President Kim Dae-jung nurtured Korea’s youth as the world’s top digital talents through informatization education for soldiers, providing the momentum that helped establish Korea as an IT powerhouse. Following this example, let us make the initiative to train 500,000 drone fighters a new growth driver for the domestic industry and the future of our country, as well as an opportunity for personal skill development. This is not merely a change within the military,” he said.

Minister Ahn emphasized the importance of active cooperation among the branches of the military and relevant government ministries to ensure the initiative not only strengthens the military’s drone operation capabilities but also supports soldiers in transitioning to careers in related industries after discharge. He urged the military to take the lead in establishing and promoting ecosystems within the domestic drone industry by generating demand for drones with key components manufactured locally.