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Technology arstechnica.com ·2h · 1 min

South Korea Plans to Train Half a Million Soldiers as Drone Operators

The Asian nation will adopt the technology as a universal combat tool as part of its armed forces modernization.

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South Korea has announced a plan to train its 500,000-strong military force as drone operators. The initiative aims to turn the technology into a universal combat tool by integrating unmanned aircraft operation into routine troop training.

The government introduced the concept of "drone warriors" as a response to the new demands of modern warfare. According to Ars Technica, the measure seeks to ensure that all members of the armed forces are familiar with operating the equipment, regardless of their specific role within the military hierarchy.

The decision reflects a global trend in defense restructuring, in which unmanned aerial vehicles are taking a central role in combat and surveillance strategies. This mass training effort comes as several countries reassess the role of technology on the battlefield amid rapid innovations in the field.

While the announcement highlights the program's scale, details regarding the implementation timeline and the drone models to be used have not been disclosed. The project's initial focus, however, is to standardize basic knowledge of the technology among active-duty soldiers.

Sources
How many soldiers will South Korea train as drone operators?

South Korea plans to train its entire 500,000-strong military force to operate drones, regardless of their specific role within the armed forces.

Why is South Korea creating 'drone warriors'?

The initiative aims to turn drone technology into a universal combat tool and adapt to the demands of modern warfare, ensuring all active-duty soldiers are familiar with operating unmanned aerial vehicles for combat and surveillance.

What drone models will the South Korean military use for this training?

The government has not yet disclosed the specific drone models to be used or the implementation timeline. The initial focus is on standardizing basic drone operation knowledge among troops.