New arms race overhead: South Korea’s anti-drone pushーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Anti-Drone Technology: Systems and methods designed to detect, identify, and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. Includes both “soft kill” (jamming) and “hard kill” (physical destruction) approaches.
• Drone Intrusion: Unauthorized entry of drones into a country’s or facility’s airspace, particularly concerning critical infrastructure.
• UAV/Drone Tactics: The evolving strategies and techniques employed using drones in military and political contexts.
• Hard Kill vs. Soft Kill: Two primary categories of counter-drone systems. Hard kill involves physically destroying the drone, while soft kill disrupts its operation (e.g., jamming signals).
• North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation: Increasing collaboration between North Korea and Russia, particularly in the development and deployment of drone technology.

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South Korea’s Response to Increasing Drone Threats

South Korea has emerged as a significant arms exporter, with overseas orders exceeding $17 billion in 2022, largely driven by increased global security concerns, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A key area of focus for South Korea’s defense industry is countering the growing threat posed by enemy drones, specifically those originating from North Korea. This concern is amplified by deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

Drone Intrusion History & Concerns

Over the past five years, South Korea has experienced over 700 unauthorized drone intrusions, many targeting nuclear power plants and surrounding areas. A concerning 40% of these intrusions remain unexplained, with the operators and motives unknown. This has fueled anxieties regarding potential attacks on critical infrastructure. Chan Bjong Chol, an industry executive, highlighted the dual threat drones pose: “Drones not only pose a military threat but also have the potential to become a significant means of attacking critical infrastructure. Even their appearance near a nuclear power plant can stir up public fear or panic and cause all sorts of other threats.”

North Korea’s Drone Capabilities & Russia’s Role

North Korea has consistently flown unmanned aircraft into South Korean airspace since 2013. A significant incident occurred in 2014 when a drone crashed in Seoul, revealing photographs of the presidential office, exposing vulnerabilities in South Korea’s air defense systems. North Korea continues to develop its drone capabilities, including large reconnaissance models and, recently, a “one-time use suicide drone” unveiled by Kim Jong-un in September of last year. Yu Yon, a member of the National Assembly Defense Committee, expressed concern over the growing alliance with Russia: “North Korean forces have joined the invasion of Ukraine and are learning drone tactics through hands-on experience despite heavy casualties. It's highly likely they are developing drone technology with the help of Russia.” A military parade in October showcased a launcher capable of deploying six drones simultaneously.

Counter-Drone Technologies & Approaches

The South Korean response to the drone threat is multifaceted, with significant investment in anti-drone technology. The recent aerospace and defense exhibition near Seoul featured approximately 80 companies showcasing their solutions, including radar systems for detection and high-definition cameras for identification. Traditional counter-drone methods, known as “soft kill” techniques, involve signal jamming to disable drones. However, a growing trend focuses on “hard kill” methods – physically destroying the drone.

Near Earth Lab’s Kaiden Interceptor System

Soul-based startup Near Earth Lab is gaining international recognition for its “Kaiden” interceptor system. This system employs a hard kill approach, utilizing a drone that directly collides with and destroys the target drone. The Kaiden interceptor operates autonomously, using onboard cameras and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and eliminate threats. It boasts a speed of 250 km/h, enabling it to intercept even evasive drones. South Korean Marine Corps units have already begun training with the Kaiden system, integrating it into their tactical operations. Finland’s military, bordering Russia, has also requested a demonstration of the technology. Near Earth Lab representatives believe their system offers an effective solution for countering multiple drone attacks, particularly given the increasing use of inexpensive drones in modern warfare: “Looking at the attack methods used in Ukraine and elsewhere, we see that instead of big expensive missiles, a large number of inexpensive drones are now being deployed, we believe ours are the most effective way to simultaneously counter multiple attacks.”

Recent Developments & Future Outlook

Recent tensions were highlighted by North Korea’s claim on January 4th to have shot down a South Korean drone. South Korea’s Defense Ministry denied this claim, stating no South Korean drones were operating in North Korean airspace on that date. The increasing prevalence of drones in both military and political contexts suggests this issue will remain a significant concern. As stated implicitly throughout the report, drones are becoming increasingly accessible and are changing the dynamics of conflict and security.