The South Korean military has decided to develop an exclusive vertical take-off and landing drone for the Navy's Chungmugong Yi sun-shin class destroyer, which will enhance the navy's surveillance capabilities against the conflicting islands between North and South Korea.

The picture shows the Chungmugong Yi sun-shin class destroyer Dae Jo-young (DDH 977).

(Bloomberg)

[Instant News/Comprehensive Report] The South Korean military has decided to develop a dedicated vertical take-off and landing drone for its own navy's destroyers, which will enhance the surveillance capabilities of conflict islands.

The military news media "navalnews" reported on the 26th that South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will begin research and development of vertical take-off and landing drones deployed on the Chungmugong Yi sun-shin-class destroyer (KDX Batch II).

Although the plan started in 2021, it was only officially approved by the government this year. DAPA stated that the development of drones will be completed by 2031. The total cost of the entire plan is about 550 billion won (approximately NT$12.9 billion).

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The report pointed out that the main task of this vertical take-off and landing UAV is to provide aerial reconnaissance, and the aircraft will be equipped with a photoelectric infrared system to enable it to perform reconnaissance missions at night or in low-visibility conditions.

The drone will provide South Korea with real-time surveillance and reconnaissance missions along the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and disputed northwest islands.

In fact, as early as 2010 after the Yeonpyeong Island shelling incident, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff proposed to purchase drones for reconnaissance in the northwest island area. DAPA purchased an airship with aerial reconnaissance capabilities for testing in 2011, but due to increased budget and airship crash, the project was delayed in 2015.

After the airship program was delayed, the South Korean navy and marines had to rely on the air force for reconnaissance.

However, with the development of a new type of special drone for the navy, it will effectively enhance the South Korean navy's reconnaissance capabilities and be able to detect North Korea's military operations in advance.

Although DAPA has not announced the bidding unit for the drone, it is likely to be jointly developed by Airbus Helicopter, a subsidiary of France's Airbus, and the research and development unit of Korean Air.

Last year, the two parties signed a MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) on the development of a new drone program for the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps.

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