[Exclusive] Yoon Government Considers Additional Military Supplies Export to Ukraine... This Time 'Drone-Jamming Jammer'

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The government has confirmed that it is preparing to export 'anti-drone jammers (radio interference devices)' to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia. This is a non-lethal defense system, such as mine-clearing equipment, discussed following a request from Ukraine after the Korea-Ukraine summit at the end of May. Although it takes the form of an 'export' rather than government-level support, the possibility of expanding support for non-lethal equipment has increased, as President Yoon Seok-yeol has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine.

According to the Presidential Office and the National Assembly on the 5th, the government is currently reviewing export permits for military strategic materials to export 'anti-drone jammers' to Ukraine. A senior government official said, "Apart from Ukraine's reconstruction, the process of exporting a Korean-style drone defense system to block enemy drone attacks is underway," adding, "In line with the government's policy of sparing no support for Ukraine, discussions are underway at the government level to additionally support special ambulances and generators."

The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, attacked by Russian missiles.
Photo by Yonhap News

An 'anti-drone jammer' is a radio interference device that limits or degrades the communication or radar systems of attack or lethal drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). Instead of physical destruction, its core function is to neutralize the drone's activity itself. By emitting radio waves, it can divert or cause drones flying from a distance to crash, making it a game-changer in modern warfare.

The Presidential Office did not confirm whether the 'anti-drone jammer' was included in the 'list of military supplies support requests' that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed to President Yoon, but considering that air defense equipment support had already been requested for Russian air raids, many view this export as effectively a form of support.

Moreover, the background for the government’s consideration of the export and support of practical defensive military goods is the ongoing civilian casualties caused by drone attacks in Ukraine. Russia has not ceased drone attacks, including a large-scale drone raid on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, in May. According to foreign media, on the 3rd, Russia launched drone attacks targeting the Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions of Ukraine. The official explained, "Since drone attacks aimed at destroying facilities often cause collateral damage to nearby civilians, it is expected that export support will be provided quickly from a humanitarian perspective."

This is also why the government was able to quickly decide on supporting mine-clearing equipment. It is known that a minefield nearly the size of the Korean Peninsula has been created in Ukraine due to mines laid by the withdrawing Russian army. This has caused not only casualties but also significant difficulties in agricultural operations.

The rapid evolution of the Korean-style 'drone defense system' is also a major factor in this export and support. Around the end of last year, following the so-called 'North Korean unmanned aerial vehicle airspace intrusion incident,' the Republic of Korea Armed Forces Drone Operations Command was established, and research for developing a 'Korean-style jammer' is underway, centered on the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. It is known that this will include not only the ability to bring down drones but also detection and tracking functions. There are even forecasts that a defense system equipped with a world-class interception system could be deployed in actual combat within one to two years. This system can detect even ultra-small drones over a wide range, and industry-academia-research cooperation is being carried out based on government support intentions.

Government-level support for military supplies is already underway. From March to June last year, the government provided military supplies worth approximately 4.85 billion won in three rounds. These included food items (combat rations, etc.), general supplies (clothing, bulletproof vests, tents, etc.), equipment (gas masks, filters, etc.), and medical equipment (personal first aid kits, antibiotics, etc.).

Support expanded further after President Zelensky made repeated requests for 'non-lethal goods' support to President Yoon during his surprise visit to Japan for the Hiroshima G7 summit in May. President Yoon promised to promptly support mine-clearing equipment and emergency evacuation vehicles (ambulances), and it is reported that the support procedures for the mine-clearing equipment and emergency evacuation vehicles discussed at that time have been completed. Regarding mine-clearing equipment, it is known that there is a high possibility of providing obstacle-clearing tanks (K600) and portable new mine detectors (PRS-20K) currently supplied to the army. A Presidential Office official said, "Since government-level support for Ukraine's reconstruction is being carried out in various ways, civilian-level exports or support to restore and defend civilian damage caused by the war may continue to be discussed in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.