S. Korea to buy Polish UAVs to counter NK's suicide drone threats
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects what the North claims to be suicide drones at the Drone Institute of the Academy of Defence Sciences, Aug. 24, in this photo released by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency two days later. Yonhap
The South Korean military is set to purchase Polish loitering munitions within this year, a move experts believe will significantly bolster the nation's ability to counter North Korea's purported suicide drones. The Polish drones, proven effective on the battlefield in Ukraine against Russian forces, could be a game changer in airborne warfare, analysts said.
According to military sources, Tuesday, the Ministry of National Defense recently submitted a request to acquire military drones to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), which is now preparing to announce the bid.
A DAPA official told The Korea Times that a South Korean delegation recently traveled to Warsaw to inspect the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and assess their suitability for the South Korean military.
"Details regarding the procurement format or bid type are still undecided," the official said, declining to confirm the exact number or type of drones. However, several media reports have suggested that the figure could be around 200.
The defense ministry underscored the growing importance of UAVs, particularly in light of recent conflicts such as the Ukraine war.
"Our ministry and related agencies are exploring various options, including international purchases, to bolster our drone capabilities," ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said during a briefing.
A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that discussions regarding the Polish drones have seen substantial progress, given their proven capabilities and their cost-effectiveness.
A Warmate drone developed by Poland / Captured from WB Electronics website
The most likely model under consideration is the Warmate, which has been utilized by Ukrainian frontline units in their conflict with Russia.
According to its manufacturer, WB Electronics, Warmate drones have a maximum take-off weight of 5.7 kilograms, an operational range of 30 kilometers, an attack speed of 150 kilometers per hour, and a maximum flight duration of 60 minutes. These drones are capable of carrying various warheads, including high-explosive and thermobaric options.
Currently, the South Korean military is known to operate thousands of drones, but most of them are used for surveillance activities, primarily to monitor North Korean artillery locations, with only a small number being suicide drones.
But North Korea's escalating drone threats have heightened the urgency for Seoul to enhance the striking capabilities of its own UAVs.
In late August, Pyongyang claimed to have conducted performance tests of suicide drones, releasing photos showing one hitting a target resembling South Korean K-2 battle tanks. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who oversaw the tests, called for a rapid expansion in the production of these drones to enhance the country’s military readiness.
Kim Dae-young, a military expert at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, commented that Polish UAVs have advanced capabilities compared to North Korean ones, although specific details about the North's UAVs remain largely unknown.
"North Korea's drones seem to be in the developmental stage, requiring performance enhancements. Plus, mass production of these drones could be challenging for the resource-scarce country. But Polish drones have demonstrated their effectiveness in the Ukraine war," Kim said.
Despite several South Korean defense firms ramping up development of low- and medium-altitude UAVs, achieving full operational status could take years due to administrative hurdles, Kim explained. He suggested this as a reason why the military chose to acquire Polish drones that are ready for combat.
Moreover, the potential drone purchase, which would be the first instance of South Korea buying weapons from Poland, is seen as a part of an offset arrangement — a reciprocal trade agreement in the defense sector where the selling country benefits the purchasing country.
Poland is a major buyer of South Korean weapons. It has sealed mega contracts with Seoul including a $22 billion deal in 2022 for howitzers, tanks and fighter jets, marking South Korea's largest arms deal with a single country to date.
"In order to strengthen arms cooperation and maintain smooth relations, South Korea might consider additional drone purchases based on the performance of the Warmate, or even review acquiring other weapons systems from Poland," Kim said.
This photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, depicts the North conducting a performance test of its purported suicide drone under the guidance of its leader, Kim Jong-un, Aug. 24. Yonhap