A project to develop a "counter-drone hard-kill (physical shootdown) close-in protection system" that shoots down enemy kamikaze unmanned aircraft with interceptor drones has set sail. The military authorities designated this as a "rapid prototyping project" to complete development within two years and are reviewing companies to take on the work.

On the 14th, Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party organ, reports that Kim Jong-un, the party's general secretary, observes branch-by-branch comprehensive tactical training conducted within the training system of last year's People's Army training cadres conference. On the day, General Secretary Kim says, "The most vital task is the completion of war preparations," and emphasizes the need to newly establish the training system to suit modern warfare. /Courtesy of Rodong Sinmun News1

According to the defense industry on the 27th, three companies—LIG Nex1, Huins, and Vitzro Nextech—took part in the bidding for the 18 billion won counter-drone hard-kill close-in protection system development project led by the Agency for Defense Development and Acquisition of Rapid Technology. After receiving proposals from each company on the 9th, the military authorities will finish evaluations by mid-next month and select the final developer.

The military authorities plan to develop a prototype with the selected company and conduct performance verification tests starting in 2028.

The counter-drone hard-kill close-in protection system launches drones to intercept enemy drones. It aims to identify and intercept small drones and kamikaze unmanned aircraft that are hard to stop with the current air defense network and counter-drone defenses, making the air defense network tighter.

Because it is a hard-kill method, it is also expected to provide protection against tethered drones that neutralize electronic warfare. The military authorities plan to use this system to protect rear areas, key military facilities, and national strategic asset.

Several other countries are also moving to build air defense systems using drones. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland—five European countries—decided jointly on the 20th (local time) to promote the "low-cost expendable autonomous platform (LEAP) project." The project centers on joint development and production of drone-based strike capabilities and joint procurement of low-cost payloads.

These countries aim to enter mass production within 12 months. The start of this project was heavily influenced by interceptor drone technologies that have continued to advance through the Russia-Ukraine war. It has been shown that drones are more effective than expensive guided weapons as interceptors for kamikaze and reconnaissance drones that were widely used in the Ukraine war.

Cheongwang (laser air-defense weapon) holds a ceremony to field advanced new equipment. /Courtesy of News1

In the defense industry, some argue that Korea should accelerate and expand the counter-drone hard-kill close-in protection system development project. There are concerns that North Korea is rapidly advancing military drone technologies, making responses too slow at the current pace.

North Korea is said to have rapidly advanced its drone technology since joining the Russia-Ukraine war last year. It has already been continuously unveiling new drones such as Satbyeol-4 (reconnaissance) and Satbyeol-9 (attack).

Korea's layered air defense network has long focused on medium- and high-altitude missile defense, prompting many to say that low-altitude, short-range defense against drone threats is weak. Cheongwang, a defense system that intercepts drones with lasers, has been deployed, but there is still only one unit.

A defense industry official said, "With the current radar systems, it is realistically difficult to monitor enemy drones 24 hours a day," adding, "To defend against drones that could appear anytime and anywhere, there is a need to quickly secure mobile and maneuverable defense systems."

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