South Korea aims to develop an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft deployable from warships by 2028, the South Korea arms procurement agency said Monday, amid efforts to boost surveillance against North Korean threats.
On Dec. 2023, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a contract worth 143.3 billion won ($107.1 million) with defense company Hanwha Systems to develop the rotary-wing aircraft by Dec. 2028.
DAPA said the aircraft is designed to be deployed from warships, as well as Marine Corps units on northwestern islands near the border with North Korea, to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The unmanned rotorcraft will be the first of its kind in South Korea and will be equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors and radar systems, according to DAPA.
