South Korea to Develop Jammer Drone to Block North's UAVs

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) aims to develop a jammer drone within the next four years.

DAPA said it will invest $18 million (KRW 24.4 billion) from November 2022 to January 2026 for the development of the small unmanned aerial vehicle response system (Block-I) system.

The Small UAV Response System (Block-I) is an electronic warfare equipment that can block North Korean UAVs from entering the airspace at the forefront, deployed in the forward area.

DAPA will be collaborating with LIG Nex1 for this project.

Block-I drone will be able to detect small UAVs flying from a long distance in conjunction with the local air defense radar and air defense command and control system, receive track information, and emit jamming radio waves to determine the path of small UAVs and induce a fall. In future, through the development of Block-II, it plans to expand its functions step by step, such as adding its own detection radar and image identification device.

“Once the development is completed, the electronic warfare attack capability to respond to North Korean drones will be strengthened, greatly improving the mission capabilities of frontline units, and contributing to the vitalization of the defense industry through future exports,” DAPA Advanced Technology Project Head ( Senior Civil Servant Kim Tae-gon said.