Military eyes updated drone playbook for new era of warfare

A soldier with the Army’s 53rd Infantry Division fires a jamming gun during a drone attack response drill at the National Archives of Korea's Busan office, March 12. Newsis

Facing a rapid evolution in aerial combat, Korea's military has begun drafting a unified playbook for drone warfare in a move that signals a fundamental shift in its strategy for future conflicts. The initiative aims to replace the disparate instructions currently used by each branch with a single, standardized manual for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

Officials announced on Monday that the Drone Operations Command has been designated as the lead research body to draft the joint drone operations manual. The command has launched a preliminary study lasting three months to gather case studies and technical data from Korea and abroad, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive set of instructions.

“Recent conflicts, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, have highlighted the growing role of drones in modern warfare,” an official from the command said. “We are now in the early research stage to prepare for establishing a full manual.”

The move to standardize drone operations comes as Korea faces growing unconventional threats from its neighbor to the north, which has shown an increasing willingness to use unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance and provocation.

Currently, drone missions are conducted under temporary orders from higher commands, without standardized procedures. The forthcoming manual is expected to establish consistent rules for both routine operations and mission-specific tasks. Draft outlines circulated by the command indicate it will provide guidance on peacetime patrols, responses to limited provocations and large-scale warfare. It is also expected to cover reconnaissance and strike missions, counter-drone tactics, electronic warfare, psychological operations and transport roles.

Other sections are expected to address command and control systems, coordination measures, personnel organization, safety requirements and airspace management. Procedures for planning, execution and post-mission review will also be detailed. Supplementary sections are likely to include terminology and abbreviations, combat case studies and technical specifications of drone platforms. Examples from recent conflicts, including Russia's war on Ukraine and clashes between Israel and Iran, may also be added to illustrate practical applications.

The initiative has not been without its critics.

Some security experts suggest that a single, standardized manual may be premature, given the diversity of missions.

“Drone operations vary greatly depending on the unit and mission,” said Park Beom-jin, a security strategy professor at Kyung Hee University. “It could be more practical to establish service-specific manuals first and then integrate them.”

Foreign militaries are already moving in this direction.

The U.S. Marine Corps recently published a 90-page handbook on small drone operations, presenting drones as a vital combat tool for infantry, artillery, reconnaissance and aviation units. The handbook includes procedures for using loitering munitions and methods of concealment against heat detection. In 2023, the U.S. Army also published a guide for small-unit counter-drone operations, reflecting the seriousness with which drones are now regarded on the battlefield.

By preparing the manual, Korea’s military intends to formalize its approach to drone warfare and standardize operations for a capability that has quickly become indispensable in contemporary combat. This project also signals an acknowledgment that drones are not just auxiliary equipment, but a factor that can significantly impact the outcome of battles.