S. Korea to Deploy Laser Weapons to Shoot Down N. Korean Drones

South Korea has announced plans to deploy inexpensive laser weapons this year to shoot down North Korean drones invading its airspace.

The country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said its so-called “StarWars” directed energy system emits powerful beams for up to 20 seconds.

It can neutralize flying hostile drones by burning down their engines or other electronic parts.

In addition to being quiet and invisible, the laser weapon is relatively cheap to operate, reportedly costing only 2,000 Korean won ($1.45) per shot.

Once fielded, DAPA said Seoul will become the world’s first country to officially deploy and operate laser weapons.

“Our military’s response capabilities on North Korea’s drone provocation will be further strengthened,” it added.

Provocations

South Korea’s decision to deploy laser weapons follows a series of drone provocations by Pyongyang, including an incident in December 2022.

Five North Korean drones breached South Korean airspace, prompting Seoul to scramble fighter jets and attack helicopters.

A five-hour pursuit did not yield positive results, raising questions about the country’s air defense capabilities and readiness.

The military apologized for failing to shoot down the hostile drones and vowed to employ detection devices to spot them from an early stage and aggressively deploy strike assets.

Following the incident, The Washington Post reported on a leaked US document that said Seoul will be vulnerable to North Korean drones for years.

The document noted that South Korea has prioritized its defenses against incoming missiles but neglected its other air defense needs.