South Korea To Develop Laser Weapons By 2020 To Counter North Korea's Drones

South Korea is planning to develop a laser weapon system by 2020 to counter the threats posed by North Korea's unmanned aerial vehicles.

“We will develop laser technology by next year to shoot down aerial drones as part of its broader laser weapon system.” The Ministry of National Defense was quoted as saying by The Korea Herald today.

The decision comes after North Korea is being suspected of having sent several UAVs near the border areas in recent years as reconnaissance missions.

Though North Korea has denied ownership of the captured UAVs, South Korea said that the North is building larger drones with greater range and with the capability to be flown remotely by flight controllers.

Seoul estimated that Pyongyang has some 300 observation drones and around 10 machines capable of conducting attacks with weapons, military officials said.

The drones have caused South Korea to worry because they cannot even be picked up easily by radar due to their relative small size and ability to fly low. Even if they are detected, it may be hard to shoot them down with conventional anti-aircraft weapons, the Military planners said.