South Korea to Introduce Iranian Shahed-136 Inspired Drones into Military

DID Press: South Korea has announced plans to enhance its military capabilities through the development and deployment of low-cost drones modeled on Iran’s Shahed-136, including systems based on reverse engineering.

The Ministry of National Defense said domestically developed loitering munitions, inspired by the Shahed-136 design, will be integrated into its operational forces as part of efforts to strengthen unmanned aerial warfare capabilities.

According to the announcement, the South Korean military also plans to acquire more than 20,000 low-cost drones, including short-range reconnaissance UAVs and loitering munitions, to expand its battlefield drone fleet.

Officials said the initiative is aimed at modernizing the country’s unmanned systems and improving cost-effective strike and surveillance capabilities amid evolving security challenges in the region.

The report also noted that Iran’s drone capabilities, particularly demonstrated in recent conflicts, have influenced global military doctrines and accelerated the adoption of mass-produced, low-cost drone systems in several countries.