Reservists Are Already Undergoing Drone Warfare Training [Yang Nakkyu's Defence Club]

On-Site Coverage at the Gimhae Science Reserve Training Battalion, Army 39th Division

About 80 Reservists Selected Annually for Suicide and Other Drone Flight Training

It was drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) that changed the dynamics in the war between the United States and Iran. Affordable drones played a significant role as cost-effective weapon systems, depleting expensive enemy air defense networks. Iran repeatedly targeted key objectives such as U.S. military bases by launching barrages that mixed 'Shahed-136' suicide drones, each worth about $20,000 (around 30 million won), with missiles. When countered with U.S.-made Patriot (PAC-3) interceptor missiles, which are known to cost about $4 million (around 6 billion won) each, the cost-effectiveness as an air defense measure drops sharply, even if the interception is successful.

Among the local reserve forces entering their fifth year, about 80 soldiers must undergo 8 hours of training per day. Photo by 39th Division

The South Korean military is also accelerating drone adoption. At a recent defense reform forum, the Ministry of National Defense announced plans to boost drone and unmanned capabilities to about 30 times the current level by 2040. The plan includes strengthening unmanned combat aerial vehicles that work with fighter jets, unmanned surface vessels, unmanned underwater combat vehicles, reconnaissance drones, and small- and medium-sized suicide drones. The ministry also revealed a policy to train "500,000 drone warriors," aiming for every soldier to be able to operate drones as easily as personal firearms. This initiative seeks not only to enhance military combat strength but also to establish a workforce that can transition into the civilian drone industry after discharge.

The same applies to the reserve forces. The Ministry of National Defense plans to select skilled civilian drone specialists as standing reservists and operate drone reserve units even in peacetime. From 2025, the number of drone training units—currently 12 during the reserve training period—will be gradually increased and expanded to all units by 2030.

When visiting the Army's 39th Division Gimhae Science Reserve Training Center on June 17, drone training for reservists was already in full swing. Until now, reservists trained with virtual reality (VR) shooting simulations using a three-sided multiscreen instead of live fire at the range. The 39th Division's reserve training unit has transformed the site into a drone simulation shooting range by introducing a drone simulator—the first such attempt in the entire armed forces.

Each year, around 80 members of the regional reserve forces in their fifth year are selected for drone training. They must undergo eight hours of training per day. The training begins with the most basic flight maneuvers. To experience this firsthand, trainees put on goggles and picked up controllers, with the drone appearing on the screen. Both hands must be used simultaneously to fly: the left hand controls altitude, while the right hand adjusts direction and forward/backward movement.

In the training ground for urban warfare, 2-meter-wide drones were flying, kicking up sandstorms. Reservists were conducting anti-drone shooting training using MILES equipment. Photo by the 39th Division

The first stage of basic flight involved raising the drone and flying it forward, similar to virtual reality driving practice for obtaining a driver's license. This initial step was relatively simple. The next stage required flying the drone to evade enemy radar and dropping bombs on enemy tanks, again requiring the use of both hands. This training is designed with future suicide drone operations in mind. In 2024, the South Korean military purchased and deployed 180 Polish-made 'Warmate' suicide drones used in the Ukraine war and is also reportedly developing domestically produced long-range reconnaissance and strike drones.

About 40 active-duty officers are assigned to the Gimhae Science Training Center, 10 of whom are certified instructor pilots. There are also four enlisted soldiers who have obtained Type 1 drone licenses, reflecting the high level of enthusiasm for drones. The Gimhae Science Training Center plans to further structure its reserve unit by operating reconnaissance, maintenance, and attack teams. Each drone's mission-specific features will be highlighted, and reservists will be trained to perform on-the-spot repairs, such as replacing propellers during flight.

Jeon Younghwang, head of Training Division 1, said, "Reservists admitted to the training center receive eight hours of instruction in disassembly and assembly, theory, and flight training, and will be assigned missions in Gimhae, Changwon, Geoje, and other eastern Gyeongnam regions during wartime."

At the urban combat training ground, 2-meter-wide drones were flying, kicking up sand and dust. This was not drone flight training but counter-drone shooting practice. MILES equipment was mounted on both the drones and rifles, and when a drone was hit, the result was displayed on a central monitor.

An official from the training unit said, "Once drones are fully introduced from next year, dozens of drones equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) will appear in the urban combat training ground, enabling training that closely simulates real combat."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.