South Korea plans to develop its own version of Iran’s Shahed-136 loitering munition, according to an announcement by the country’s Ministry of Defense. The domestically produced drones are being created by reverse-engineering the Iranian design and are expected to enter operational service as part of South Korea’s broader effort to enhance its unmanned aerial capabilities.

The initiative aligns with a larger procurement strategy that includes acquiring over 20,000 low-cost drones, encompassing both short-range reconnaissance UAVs and loitering munitions. This reflects a growing global interest in affordable, long-range strike platforms that can complement existing missile systems.

The Shahed-136, which Iran developed several years ago, is a delta-wing loitering munition with an operational range estimated between 1,800 and 2,500 kilometers. It carries a warhead weighing between 30 and 50 kilograms and is powered by a four-cylinder piston engine driving a pusher propeller. The drone uses an inertial navigation system enhanced by GPS for guidance and is typically launched from rail-equipped vehicles. Its relatively low unit cost, estimated between $20,000 and $50,000, has made it a central component of Iran’s asymmetric warfare strategy. The Shahed-136 has seen extensive use in Iranian military operations targeting U.S. and Israeli forces over the past two years.

In the United States, similar developments have been underway following analysis of Iran’s drone. The U.S. Army awarded contracts in 2023 for long-range loitering munitions, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory launched a program named “Cheap Jack” that features characteristics resembling the Shahed-136, including a delta-wing design, piston engine, GPS/INS guidance, and a comparable launch rail system. Test flights have taken place at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, with target unit costs around $30,000. Despite these efforts, U.S. production volumes remain significantly lower than those reportedly achieved by Iran. Some reports have also alleged that the U.S. may have utilized its version of the Shahed-136 in false flag operations targeting certain countries during recent hostilities involving Iran.

South Korea’s choice to reverse-engineer the Shahed-136 illustrates a broader trend among nations aiming to develop cost-effective, long-range unmanned strike capabilities. By adapting the Iranian platform domestically, South Korea seeks to strengthen its defense posture while diversifying its aerial drone inventory.