South Korea Defense Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The global market and demand for military UAVs have been rapidly growing driven by the demonstrated power and tactical effectiveness of UAVs in combat situations in Ukraine and Gaza. Some global consulting firms project that the global market for military UAVs will likely expand threefold from $12.37 billion in 2022 to $38.2 billion threefold in 2032.

After the infiltration of North Korean UAVs into Seoul’s airspace in December 2022, one of which flew over the no-fly-zone close to the Presidential Office, South Korea has been pushing to quickly bolster its UAV and counter-UAV capabilities. In response to the North Korean intrusion, the country also established its Drone Operations Command in September 2023 which integrates UAV units of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps under a single command.

In May 2024, following a meeting of the Presidential Defense Innovation Committee, the Presidential Office announced a new plan to double its military UAV capabilities by 2026 to bolster its defense capabilities against any potential North Korean UAV threat. The South Korean government intends to increase its budget to rapidly secure a large number of UAVs. The new plan did not mention the overall budget to execute the plan, nor the type of drones Seoul intends to acquire.

Nonetheless, the plan indicates that there may be business opportunities for U.S. manufacturers of military drones which includes High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (HAUAV), Medium Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MAUAV), and small-size military UAVs to help Korea achieve its goal. Further, U.S. manufacturers of military drone parts and components may also find market opportunities in South Korea.

Recognizing the significance of UAVs in actual combat and deterrence, Korean defense contractors as well as many commercial drone companies are also highly interested in developing and manufacturing military UAVs.

For more information about South Korea’s aerospace and defense market landscape, and potential export opportunities, please contact the US Commercial Service at Office.Seoul@trade.gov.