Army chief calls drones 'personal weapon' of future soldiers

Gen. Kim Gyu-ha, Army chief of staff, third from left, answers reporters’ questions at Army headquarters in Gyeryongdae in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of the Army

The chief of staff of the Army described drones as a "personal weapon" that every soldier will be expected to operate, outlining an ambitious plan to embed unmanned systems across all combat units as the military adapts to a shrinking troop pool and shifting battlefield conditions.

Speaking at a policy briefing Wednesday with defense reporters at Gyeryongdae in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, Gen. Kim Gyu-ha placed drone deployment at the center of the Army's evolving force structure.

“Drones should be seen as a personal weapon,” Kim said. “They are no longer limited to a single function, but can be used for surveillance, strike missions and sustained support, depending on how they are equipped and operated.”

The remarks came as the Army detailed its plans to expand the use of training-purpose commercial drones across units.

Officials said around 10,000 such drones will be introduced this year, with the number expected to rise to some 50,000 by 2029 — a level that would allow roughly one drone to be assigned per squad.

Military officials stressed that the initiative is part of a broader “500,000 drone warriors” concept introduced at the defense ministry level, but noted that the figure itself is not a literal headcount.

Instead, the Army is focusing on how to embed drone operation capabilities across its force through training, doctrine and support systems.

Rather than creating a separate branch for drone operators, the Army plans to integrate drone usage across all combat units, allowing soldiers in infantry, armored and other roles to operate drones as part of their routine mission tasks.

This approach reflects the increasingly multifunctional nature of small unmanned systems on the battlefield.

Kim also linked the push to deeper structural challenges, particularly the steady decline in available manpower due to demographic changes.

Gen. Kim Gyu-ha, Army chief of staff, and other Army officials brief reporters on key policies at a policy briefing at Army headquarters in Gyeryongdae in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of Army

He said the Army is entering a phase where technological adaptation is no longer optional, but necessary to sustain operational readiness.

Referring to earlier initiatives such as the Army Tiger program, Kim said the groundwork for integrating unmanned and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven systems has already been laid, and is now approaching a stage where tangible results could be realized.

“We are getting close to the point where what we have been preparing can be implemented in real terms,” he said, pointing to a timeframe between 2028 and 2030 for visible progress.

Beyond drones, the Army is also working to incorporate AI into frontline surveillance systems, particularly along the border.

Kim stressed that the goal is not simply to reduce troop numbers, but to enhance detection and response capabilities through technology.

“It is not about creating gaps by cutting troops,” he said. “It is about minimizing vulnerabilities by improving how we detect, identify and respond.”

The Army also presented its ongoing “spatial power” initiative, which aims to redesign barracks and operational spaces to better support combat readiness.

The plan calls for the phased upgrade of roughly 800 military sites by 2036, with pilot units already introducing separate areas for living and combat preparation, along with improved welfare facilities.

Kim acknowledged that some of the changes have yet to be fully felt at the unit level, but said the Army is working to expand pilot programs and improve communication with personnel in the field.