South Korea is preparing 500,000 "drone warriors" — this is not a joke, but a new reality of the army

From an infantryman to a drone pilot, everyone should be able to control a UAV

South Korea has announced a major reform: by the 2030s, the country's army should train 500,000 soldiers who can fly drones. These are not just refresher courses, they are an attempt to rethink the entire army. Now drones are not exotic for special forces, but a basic skill like rifle shooting or navigation.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-bak said: if the enemy uses drones en masse, we must teach everyone how to operate them.

The 36th Division will become a school for the entire army

The center of the initiative is the 36th Infantry Division in Wonju. It is here that the first specialized training ground for drone operations has been deployed. This is not just a training ground, but a "live laboratory" where new drones, tactics and training methods will be tested.

The experience of this division is planned to be replicated throughout the army. If something works for them, it will become a standard for everyone. The Ministry of Defense already calls the unit a "central testing ground" for new technologies, especially with elements of AI.

Drones for 500 dollars and a budget of 15 million

About $15 million (20.5 billion won) will be allocated for the program in 2026. This money will be used to purchase thousands of inexpensive, commercially available drones, similar to those sold in stores, but assembled from local components: engines, batteries, and control systems.

This approach solves two problems: it reduces the cost of training and stimulates domestic industry. It also allows you not to spare your equipment: if a drone crashes during an exercise, it's not a disaster, but part of the process.

Not just for combat, but skills for life after service

The program is not only about defense. The ability to control a drone, work with navigation, and process video is in demand in peaceful life: in construction, agriculture, shipping, and filming. South Korea wants its veterans not just to leave military service, but to enter the labor market with real digital skills.

This is not just the army of the future. This is an attempt to combine defense, technology, and economics into one strategy.

Sources

1. Topwar.ru — South Korean initiative to train half a million drone operators
2. Podolyaka.ru — Integration of drone skills into all branches of the South Korean military
3. Topwar.ru — South Korea unveils surface drone at Drone Show Korea 2025
4. Anadolu Agency — Pentagon confirms plans to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from South Korea

The European Union has invested a record 343 billion euros in defense — and is ready to spend even more

343 billion euros per year — what does it give Europe

The European Union spent a record 343 billion euros (about $402 billion) on defense last year. It's not just a number, it's a signal. According to a new report from the European Defense Agency, spending has exceeded all forecasts. And this is not a one-time surge: Europe has taken up the task of strengthening its defenses in earnest.

Now every sixth euro in the state budgets of the EU countries goes to the army, air defense, equipment and training of soldiers.

Why are they spending more than they planned?

Europe used to rely on American protection. Now the situation is changing. The conflict in Ukraine, rising tensions in Eastern Europe, and uncertainty in relations with the United States have forced countries to rethink their priorities.

Many countries — from Poland to Finland — have dramatically increased their arms purchases, are restoring stocks, and are modernizing their armies. It's not just imports: the EU is actively developing its own defense industry in order to be less dependent on supplies from overseas.

What will happen in 2025 — 381 billion in plans

The agency predicts that in 2025 the volume of expenses will grow to 381 billion euros (446 billion dollars). This is 11% more than last year. This growth is not just a reaction to the crisis. This is a long-term strategy: Europe wants to be able to defend itself, even if external support proves limited.

A lot of money is being spent not only on new tanks and planes, but also on logistics, communications, cybersecurity, and joint exercises.

The money goes not only for weapons

Part of the funds is directed to the restoration of ammunition supplies that were sent to Ukraine. Part of it is for the training of reservists, the modernization of air defense systems and the creation of fast—reacting forces. Attention is also being paid to infrastructure: roads, railways, ports — so that equipment can be quickly transferred to where it is needed.

Now Europe is building not only power, but also resilience.

Sources

1. TASS
2. Rossaprimavera
3. SOTA Project
4. RIA Novosti
5. Kommersant
6. 1Prime
7. Gazeta.ru
8. RIA Novosti (EU context)
9. Armiya.az
10. RBC

Innovative method of military personnel training: BITE presence room

 

The UK Armed Forces are implementing advanced technology to train their soldiers. One of these innovations was the unique presence room developed by the defense firm Babcock International. This training method, known as BITE (Babcock Immersive Training Environment), is already in use at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in Filton, Bristol and Warminster, Wiltshire, and allows you to recreate real combat scenarios on the front line.

What is BITE?

BITE is an interactive environment that is as close as possible to the real conditions of combat operations. According to the developers, this method resembles a quest room, but without riddles. Instead, participants are completely immersed in the simulation, where they can experience shaking, smells, and even the ability to "smoke" to create an atmosphere as close as possible to the conditions of the front line.

The purpose of BITE is to help military personnel and commanders better prepare for the stressful situations they may face in real combat conditions. This is especially important for ensuring "operational readiness," as Michaela Green, director of training opportunities at Babcock, points out.

How does the system work?

BITE technology uses multisensory stimuli to create a complete immersion in a military situation. Participants not only see and hear what is happening around them, but also feel physical impacts, such as shaking from explosions or movement of machinery. Battlefield scents also play an important role in creating a realistic environment. 

This system allows military personnel to practice their decision-making, coordination, and teamwork skills in conditions as close to reality as possible. This is especially valuable because learning errors have no real consequences, but allow participants to learn from experience.

BITE Advantages

One of the main advantages of BITE is its flexibility. The system can be adapted to various scenarios, from urban battles to desert operations. This makes it a universal tool for preparing military personnel for any possible situations.

In addition, the use of such technologies reduces the costs of traditional field exercises, which require significant resources and logistical efforts. BITE also helps to minimize the risks to the health and safety of participants, as all actions take place in a controlled environment.

The future of military training

The developers are confident that technologies like BITE will become an integral part of future military training. They offer new opportunities for training not only physical endurance, but also psychological stability, which is extremely important for the successful completion of missions.

Michaela Green emphasizes that the goal of the program is not just to train soldiers, but also to make them confident in their abilities so that they can act effectively in any situation. This is especially important in modern conditions, where military operations are becoming more complex and multifaceted.

The BITE Presence Room is an example of how technology is changing the approach to military training. By creating realistic scenarios and providing full immersion, this system helps military personnel to be prepared for any challenges on the battlefield. In the future, such methods may become the standard for training not only in the UK, but also abroad.

Raytheon unveils DeepStrike and New Training Rocket at Project Converge Capstone 5

DeepStrike Autonomous Launcher

Raytheon Corporation demonstrated its latest innovations at the Capstone 5 Project Converge event, which took place this month. Two novelties were in the spotlight: the DeepStrike autonomous launcher and the application for a new training rocket. These developments underscore the company's commitment to leadership in military technology and autonomous systems.

DeepStrike is a revolutionary autonomous launcher designed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of rocket launches. This system is able to independently select targets and carry out launches without the need for constant operator intervention. This autonomy allows you to significantly reduce reaction time and increase combat readiness.

In addition to DeepStrike, Raytheon has submitted its application for a new training rocket. This missile is designed to train military specialists and allows them to conduct training in conditions as close as possible to real combat operations. The training missile is equipped with modern guidance and control systems, which makes it an ideal tool for training highly qualified personnel.

The Capstone 5 Project Converge event has become a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and sharing experiences between leading companies in the defense industry. Raytheon used this opportunity to present its new products and confirm its leadership in the industry.

Raytheon's developments are of significant strategic importance. Autonomous systems such as DeepStrike can significantly change approaches to combat operations, increasing their effectiveness and reducing risks for military personnel. Training missiles, in turn, play a key role in training specialists, which also contributes to strengthening defense capabilities.

Despite its impressive achievements, Raytheon also faces challenges. The implementation of autonomous systems requires careful verification and adaptation to real conditions. In addition, security and ethical issues related to the use of autonomous weapons must be taken into account.