South Korea drone capacity

Non-NATO

Fleet estimate2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: IISS Military Balance — operation confirmed; no consolidated published fleet count ↗

Manufacturer count2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: IISS Military Balance — no authoritative count; majors: Korean Air, KAI, LIG Nex1, Hanwha ↗

Defense drone budget (€)2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database — South Korea total military expenditure ~$47bn (2024, SIPRI Milex); no drone-specific budget breakdown ↗

Notable systems2025

medium

Korean Air KUS-FS (domestic MALE, MQ-9 class), RQ-4 Global Hawk (operated); ISR + loyal-wingman programs in development

Source: Korean Air Aerospace, KUS-FS brochure / Defense News (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2024/02/01/korean-air-begins-producing-reconnaissance-drone-for-souths-military/) ↗

Combat use indicator2025

high

No documented combat use (Korean armistice); Drone Operations Command stood up Sept 2023 after North Korean drone incursions

Source: Defense News ↗

Export status2025

low

Emerging exporter (defence-industry exports)

Source: IISS Military Balance ↗

Indigenous production2025

high

Yes — Korean Air (KUS-FS), KAI, LIG Nex1, Hanwha; first domestic strategic UAV (KUS-FS) in production from 2024

Source: Korean Air Aerospace, KUS-FS brochure / Defense News (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2024/02/01/korean-air-begins-producing-reconnaissance-drone-for-souths-military/) ↗

Metrics not listed above are not yet assessed for South Korea — distinct from “Not disclosed”, which means a metric was assessed but no figure is published.

← All global capacity Global landscape