A U.S. Soldier assigned to MoD Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), aims down range during an African Lion 26 counterattack lane at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, May 4, 2026. The command field exercise counterattack lane tested new combined arms breach tactics by synchronizing unmanned ground vehicles, remote systems and maneuver elements, demonstrating the integration of autonomous and conventional forces to create standoff, reduce risk and generate new tactical possibilities on the modern battlefield. AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez)

South Korea’s UGV Buildup a Manpower Fix, Not a Technology Push: Report

Aug 11, 2026 1:33 PMPublished Aug 11, 2026 1:33 PM

South Korea’s growing investment in unmanned ground vehicles may look like a push to modernize its military, but a key driver is the country’s shrinking pool of available soldiers.

South Korea’s growing investment in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) may look like a push to modernize its military, but a key driver is the country’s shrinking pool of available soldiers, according to British analytics firm GlobalData.

Seoul had approximately 450,000 active-duty troops in 2025, down from around 560,000 in 2019. The decline has encouraged the country to explore robotic platforms for roles that would otherwise require additional personnel.

GlobalData projects South Korea will spend roughly $140 million on ground robotics procurement through 2036, with UGVs expected to perform missions including logistics, surveillance, and mine clearance.

Read the full story on our new publication, The Drone Front: South Korea’s UGV Buildup a Manpower Fix, Not a Technology Push: Report