South Korea has established a Defense Drone Agency to coordinate military drone standards, acquisition support and counter-drone strategy, placing the organization directly under the defense minister. The move reorganizes responsibilities previously held by the country’s Drone Operations Command and comes as Seoul works to expand unmanned-aircraft capabilities while reducing reliance on Chinese-made components.
The agency was formally launched on Monday at its headquarters in Pocheon, Gyeonggi. Its responsibilities include overseeing drone acquisition and developing operational concepts for systems used by the Army, Navy and Air Force. The organization will also support work on counter-drone capabilities and broader innovation in military systems and technology.
“With the establishment of the Defense Drone Agency, we will strengthen each military branch's capabilities to conduct drone and counter-drone operations and lead the development of drone warfare capabilities and innovation in military systems and technology across the defense sector,” the Defense Ministry said.
The new structure replaces the Drone Operations Command, which was abolished after being created in September 2023 under the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Operational functions are being transferred to the individual military services, while the new agency takes on a coordinating and development role. That division of responsibility could leave the agency working alongside the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, known as DAPA, where overlapping authority remains a concern.
A smaller organization with a broader coordinating role
The Defense Drone Agency has around 100 personnel, excluding staff responsible for operational and combat missions. That is substantially smaller than the former command, which had 280 personnel. More than half of the new agency’s personnel are field-grade officers, and the organization will be led by a two-star major general.
Until the next round of general officer appointments expected later this year, the agency will be headed by Army Brig. Gen. Kim Deuk-bong, a former commander of the Drone Operations Command. The arrangement separates the agency’s policy, acquisition and capability-development functions from the forces that will conduct drone and counter-drone missions.
K-Lucas among the agency’s programs
The agency will oversee development of operational concepts for systems including the Korean Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or K-Lucas. The program is described as a Korean version of Iran’s Shahed suicide drone. The agency’s remit also covers the standards and acquisition support needed to guide drone programs across the armed forces.
South Korea’s reorganization follows a series of efforts to expand military use of unmanned aircraft and strengthen defenses against them. The country is also seeking to phase out Chinese-made components in defense drone systems. The new agency is therefore being positioned not only as an administrative replacement for the former command, but as a central body for setting standards, coordinating procurement and developing drone and counter-drone capabilities across the defense sector.
- Organization: Defense Drone Agency, operating directly under the defense minister
- Staffing: Around 100 personnel, compared with 280 in the former Drone Operations Command
- Program: Korean Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or K-Lucas
