South Korea rolls out first domestic reconnaissance UAV

April 8 (Asia Today) -- South Korea held a rollout ceremony Tuesday for the first mass-produced medium-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle, a domestically developed surveillance platform designed to strengthen the military's independent intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said the ceremony for the first production model was held at Korean Air's tech center in Busan.

The medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle, or MUAV, is South Korea's first strategic-class drone developed under the supervision of the defense procurement agency and the Agency for Defense Development, with Korean Air, LIG D&A and Hanwha Systems participating in development and production.

The aircraft is 13 meters long and has a wingspan of 26 meters. It is powered by a 1,200-horsepower turboprop engine and can fly at altitudes above 10 kilometers, allowing it to carry out reconnaissance missions against ground targets.

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The agency said about 90% of the aircraft's components are produced domestically. Once fully deployed, the MUAV is expected to give South Korea the ability to monitor strategic targets in real time around the clock using high-performance cameras and sensors.

Lee Yong-chul, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said the program was the result of sustained efforts by defense companies and researchers.

He said the aircraft would significantly improve the military's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, strengthen the foundation for self-reliant defense and help advance South Korea's aviation industry.

The MUAV will undergo Air Force acceptance tests before being delivered in phases starting in 2027, when it will begin operations.

About 300 people attended the ceremony, including senior officials from the Air Force, the Defense Ministry, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Agency for Defense Development and the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260408010002614