The South Korean army plans to introduce drones made of cardboard, referred to as „cheap stealth“ due to their low cost and radar invisibility.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Defense, a contract for the acquisition of these drones is expected to be finalized by the end of this year. The first batch, comprising approximately 100 units, is scheduled to be delivered to the Drone Operations Command early next year.
„Drones play a crucial role in modern warfare, and our military aims to acquire the necessary capabilities through both domestic and international production,“ the ministry stated.
Similar cardboard drones have already been used by Ukrainian forces against Russia. At a recent defense exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea showcased drones that appeared to be made of cardboard, with wings connected by rubber bands.
Cardboard drones are difficult to detect by radar, hard to intercept, and can be produced easily and at a low cost.
Cardboard drones, primarily made from paper materials, are valued for their affordability and stealth capabilities. Each unit costs around 5 million won ($3,564) and is almost invisible to radar due to the properties of its material, even without any special modifications.
