Establishment of the Defense Drone Headquarters

Press Release

Press Release Timing

2 November 2026 (Mon) 11:00

Distribution

2 November 2026 (Mon) 11:00

Establishment of the Defense Drone Headquarters

- Established as of 1 November; inauguration ceremony held on the 2nd

- Leading combat development and force/technology innovation in the defense drone and counter-drone domain to strengthen each service's drone and counter-drone operational capabilities

□ The Ministry of National Defense (MND) held the inauguration ceremony of the Defense Drone Headquarters at the Defense Drone Headquarters in Pocheon on Monday, 2 November, presided over by Vice Minister of National Defense Lee Du-hee, with the attendance of key military position holders, defense officials, and unit personnel.

◦ The Defense Drone Headquarters was established as of 1 November as a follow-up measure to the 「Defense Drone and Counter-Drone Development Policy」 announced last June, in order to expand the military use of drones and strengthen response capabilities against drone threats.

◦ To this end, the Ministry of National Defense gave legislative notice of a full revision bill of the 「Drone Operations Command Decree」 on 24 July, and after deliberation at a Cabinet meeting on 13 October, promulgated the 「Defense Drone Headquarters Decree」 on 20 October.

□ Through this reorganization, the Defense Drone Headquarters will lead combat development and force/technology innovation in the drone and counter-drone domain at the defense level in order to strengthen each service's drone and counter-drone operational capabilities.

◦ The operational missions and forces of the existing Drone Operations Command have been transferred to each service in accordance with each service's missions and characteristics. Each service will develop operational concepts suited to its unique missions and operational environment, thereby enhancing its drone utilization capabilities.

◦ The Drone Operations Command headquarters has been reorganized into the Defense Drone Headquarters to present the direction of drone and counter-drone development for each service, and to rapidly introduce advanced technologies into our military through combat development, requirements planning, acquisition support, and civil-military cooperation.

□ The establishment of the Defense Drone Headquarters is significant in accelerating the development of our military's unmanned combat systems in consideration of recent warfare trends and technological advances.

◦ Taking into account recent warfare trends, drones will be utilized not only for the existing reconnaissance and surveillance missions but also for a variety of missions including attack, defense, and electronic warfare,

◦ and advanced AI and autonomous technologies will be integrated into the development of unmanned combat systems to expand the use of drones across all domains.

□ The Defense Drone Headquarters will carry out the following four missions.

◦ It will analyze recent warfare trends and battlefield environments to develop drone operational concepts, and review and adjust the force requirements necessary for this in order to develop drone and counter-drone forces in a balanced manner.

◦ It will verify the applicability of advanced technologies and drones in the Korean Peninsula operational environment, and support the rapid acquisition of forces by reflecting the results in force development.

◦ It will support the stable acquisition and efficient operation of military drones through the establishment of a military certification system for commercial drones, parts standardization, and improvement of operation and management regulations.

◦ It will promote the revitalization of the domestic drone industry ecosystem by linking civilian advanced technologies to operational requirements and expanding technology exchange.

□ Going forward, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) will continue to reflect each service's operational requirements in combat development and rapidly apply the results in the field, thereby continuously strengthening our military's capability to conduct future warfare. <End>

Division in Charge

Defense Policy Bureau, Defense Policy Officer

Person in Charge

Director General

Choi Yong-sam

(02-748-6700)

Missile and Space Policy Division

Officer in Charge

Division Chief

Choi Gyu-cheol

(02-748-6730)

Defense Artificial Intelligence Planning Bureau

Person in Charge

Director General

Jeon Jun-beom

(02-748-5400)

Manned-Unmanned Teaming Systems Division

Officer in Charge

Division Chief

Hwang Yo-bi

(02-748-5430)

Planning and Coordination Office, Planning and Management Officer

Person in Charge

Director General

Oh Seong-sik

(02-748-6500)

Armed Forces Organization Officer

Officer in Charge

Division Chief

An Seong-min

(02-748-6550)