Breaking news
South Korea plans to manufacture laser weapons to counter North Korea unmanned aerial vehicles 10701172.
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Defence & Security News - South Korea
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South Korea plans to manufacture laser weapons to counter North Korea unmanned aerial vehicles
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According Yonhap News agency, South Korea plans to manufacture a laser weapon system by 2020 to better deal with the threats posed by North Korea's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the defense ministry said Friday. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense said it will develop laser technology by next year to shoot down aerial drones as part of its broader laser weapon system.
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 Suspected North Korean drones that were found crashed near the border with the North are unveiled by the state-run Agency for Defense Development during a press conference in Daejeon, South Korea Photo: AP (Source The Telegraph) |
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The decision came as North Korea is suspected of having sent several UAVs near the border areas in recent years in what could be reconnaissance missions. North Korea has denied ownership of the captured UAVs, but South Korea said the North is building larger drones with greater range and with the capability to be flown remotely by flight controllers. Seoul estimates that Pyongyang has some 300 observation drones and around 10 machines capable of conducting attacks with weapons, military officials said. Such drones are a source of concern because they cannot be picked up easily by radar due to their relative small size and ability to fly low. Military planners have said even if they are detected, it may be hard to shoot them down with conventional anti-aircraft weapons.In April 2014, three North Korean drones have been found after crashing in the South. Analysis of their cameras have revealed that they were capturing images of South Korean military installations. South Korea believes that North Korea has as many as 300 drones and that more UAVs have crossed the border and returned to the North after completing their reconnaissance missions. |
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