On Wednesday, South Korea signed a landmark agreement with Poland about acquiring suicide drones, marking a significant development in its efforts to enhance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities in response to growing drone threats from North Korea. This is Seoul's first deal to purchase military equipment from Warsaw is part of an offset agreement- a reciprocal trade arrangement that also benefits Poland, a major buyer of South Korean defence systems.

According to the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), South Korea has agreed to purchase Warmate drones, developed by the Polish defence firm WB Electronics, because of their demonstrated effectiveness in the Ukraine war. Although officials have not disclosed the exact number or price of the drones, reports indicate that approximately 200 units will be acquired. The drones are expected to be delivered in November, with deployment to Army units and the drone operations command anticipated by December.

The agreement was signed during the Korea Army International Defense Exhibition (KADEX), which kicked off its five-day session on Wednesday at the military headquarters in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province. The Polish government first proposed the sale in June and South Korea finalised the decision in August. In July, South Korean defence officials visited Poland to evaluate the performance of UAVs currently in use by the Polish military, as well as to assess the manufacturers’ production capabilities.

After reviewing several models, South Korean officials determined that the Warmate drones were the most suitable option. Their active production line ensured that delivery could occur immediately following the contract’s signing.

“The product was thoroughly verified by our team, including officials from the Army, the drone operations command, the Agency for Defence Development (ADD), and DAPA,” a defence ministry official said. “We determined it holds significant value for our use, and its capabilities have been proven in the Ukraine war.”

According to the manufacturer, Warmate drones have a maximum takeoff weight of 5.7 kilograms, an operational range of 30 kilometres, and an attack speed of 150 kilometres per hour. Measuring 1.6 metres by 1.1 metres, they are designed for easy transport and can carry a variety of warheads, including high-explosive types. This purchase underscores the growing importance of cost-effective drones in modern warfare, as evidenced by their pivotal role in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where UAVs have proven to be game changers in aerial combat.

In the Ukraine war, a fleet of low-cost drones, including some made of cardboard, has caused significant damage to Russia’s Su-27 fighter jets. Similarly, in the Israel-Hamas conflict, both manned and unmanned UAVs have played a crucial role in military operations.

The South Korean military currently operates thousands of drones, mainly for monitoring North Korean artillery positions. However, the growing threat of North Korea’s suicide drones has become an urgent concern for Seoul, particularly amid speculation that Pyongyang may have acquired these drones with assistance from Russia and Iran.

On August 24, North Korea released photos of its leader Kim Jong-un overseeing a performance test of its purported suicide drones, with targets resembling South Korea’s K2 tanks.

The purchase of these drones is also expected to further strengthen ties between South Korea and Poland, according to the defence ministry. In 2022, Poland signed a $22 billion deal with South Korea to acquire K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 fighter jets, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, marking South Korea’s largest arms deal with a single country to date.

These deals have also attracted interest from other nations, including Romania, which has expressed a desire to deepen its defence cooperation with South Korea.

"Currently, the Polish government is highly focused on expanding its weapons production capabilities, and South Korea's purchase of Polish drones is a strategically beneficial move for both nations," the official said.

During the KADEX event, South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-Hyun met with Polish Vice Defense Minister Pawel Bejda, where the two reaffirmed their commitment to furthering defence cooperation based on the achievements to date.