Satellite-Linked Loitering Munitions

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration launched the 'Development of Medium-Range Loitering Munition with LEO Satellite Data Link' program in 2025, creating AI-guided kamikaze drones that maintain command links via low-earth orbit satellites rather than conventional radio, making them resistant to electronic jamming and capable of operating far beyond line-of-sight. The program runs through September 2028. Separately, the military announced plans to field 500,000 war drones across all services by 2026, including attack drones and medium loitering munitions.

Korea's drone warfare program was catalyzed by two factors: the North Korean drone incursions of December 2022, and Ukraine's demonstration that cheap drones can destroy expensive conventional weapons. The Korean military is building an entirely new force structure around unmanned systems — including a 30-meter, 100-ton unmanned surface vessel exhibited at Drone Show Korea 2025, armed with configurations ranging from 20mm cannons to anti-ship missiles. Korea Aerospace Industries is developing both Air Force jet-powered UCAVs and carrier-based naval drone variants.

The satellite data link component is particularly significant because it addresses the primary vulnerability of current loitering munitions: electronic warfare. Ukraine demonstrated that GPS jamming and radio interference can neutralize drones; LEO satellite links are far harder to jam due to stronger signal strength and frequency diversity. Korea's approach of combining indigenous drone manufacturing capability with satellite connectivity leverages its existing space program (Nuri launcher, satellite constellation) for military advantage.