Amid the increasing threats from the CCP and North Korea, the United States is set to deploy MQ-9 armed reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as the “Reaper” drones, to South Korea.
Following the Korean War, the United States signed a mutual defense treaty with South Korea and stationed approximately 28,500 military personnel and equipment such as fighter jets in South Korea to deter provocations and potential threats from North Korea possessing nuclear weapons.
While facing the growing military threats from North Korea, South Korea is also dealing with challenges in disputed maritime areas involving China.
According to the Korean newspaper “Chosun Ilbo,” citing military officials, the MQ-9 drones will begin a three-month rotational deployment in South Korea starting in September, stationed at the Kunsan Air Base.
The American “Reaper” drones are capable of carrying out various missions including intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precise strikes. They have participated in military exercises held in South Korea, including the first live-fire exercise on the Korean Peninsula in April 2024.
The U.S. 7th Air Force conveyed to “Newsweek,” saying, “Our personnel are all geared up and ready to execute missions with precision and professionalism.” The unit added that they remain on standby, while also maintaining and enhancing communication with South Korea.
If the deployment plan is confirmed, it would mark the longest overseas deployment of U.S. drones in allied countries. Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force plans to complete the withdrawal of A-10 attack aircraft from South Korea by September 30.
A military official in South Korea revealed to “Chosun Ilbo” that replacing the A-10 attack aircraft, primarily used against tanks and armored vehicles, with an aerial platform with surveillance capabilities reflects the Pentagon’s intention to contain North Korea and China.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the “Reaper” drone is remotely controlled by a pilot and a sensor operator, with a range of 1,150 miles. The drone can carry payloads of up to 3,750 pounds, including eight “Hellfire” laser-guided air-to-ground missiles.
Yang Uk, a researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in South Korea, told “Chosun Ilbo,” “The MQ-9 has strike capabilities, but it is essentially a surveillance platform.”
The U.S. Air Force stated in a document about the MQ-9 drone, “The Reaper drone is primarily used for intelligence collection and, secondarily, for striking dynamic targets. With its significant loitering time, wide-area sensors, multi-mode communication package, and precise weaponry, it has a unique capability to strike, coordinate, and surveil high-value, time-sensitive targets.”
Whether the United States will deploy more aircraft to South Korea to bolster its presence around the Korean Peninsula remains to be seen. At the end of June, a group of upgraded F-16 fighter jets was transferred from the Misawa Air Base in Japan to the Daegu Air Base in South Korea.