- South Korea rolled out the first production MUAV, a domestically developed medium-altitude reconnaissance drone.
- The $662 million MUAV program begins phased deliveries in 2027 after acceptance testing, with domestic components accounting for about 90 percent of the system.
South Korea’s Air Force has rolled out the first production model of its indigenously developed Medium-Altitude Reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
The rollout ceremony was announced by the Republic of Korea Air Force on Wednesday, with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Son Seok-rak describing the aircraft as a key step toward a future manned-unmanned force structure. The aircraft, known as the MUAV, was developed using domestic technology and is intended to strengthen the service’s real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
“As seen in the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East conflicts, unmanned aerial vehicles are no longer mere auxiliary tools for conventional weapon systems but have become core forces that determine the outcome of battles,” Son said in a statement. “The MUAV is the great first step in the Air Force’s manned-unmanned composite system.”
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said the platform will give the military an independent capability to monitor and respond to strategic enemy targets in real time using high-performance cameras and sensors. The aircraft is designed to operate for extended periods at medium altitude, allowing it to maintain persistent surveillance over wide areas while sharing imagery and target data across the armed forces.
That real-time battlefield picture is expected to improve the speed and accuracy of joint and combined operations by rapidly delivering targeting information to commanders and combat units.
The first production aircraft is part of a broader procurement program approved through 2028 with a total project value of 980 billion won ($662 million). The mass-production phase officially began in December 2023 after the Defense Acquisition Program Administration approved the plan.
The agency said the production-standard MUAV has achieved a domestic content rate of about 90 percent, with major components and onboard equipment sourced from South Korean industry. That level of localization underscores Seoul’s long-running push to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for key aerospace and defense systems.
The drone is expected to undergo Air Force acceptance testing before entering service. Deliveries to operational units are scheduled to begin in 2027 and continue in phases as the aircraft moves into active mission use.
The aircraft will be employed primarily in surveillance and reconnaissance roles, using its high-end electro-optical systems and sensors to track enemy movements and strategic targets. By remaining airborne for extended periods, the MUAV is expected to provide a persistent intelligence feed that can support both national defense and allied operations.
Lee Yong-cheol, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said the system would sharply improve South Korea’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities while strengthening the foundation of self-reliant defense.
“The MUAV will dramatically improve our military’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and strengthen the foundation of self-reliant national defense, while also contributing to elevating the Republic of Korea into a major aerospace power,” he said.