In a scenario marked by increasingly visible (and loud) tensions with North Korea, Seoul has decided to rely on an unlikely ally to strengthen its weapons: cardboard. True, it may not seem like the sturdiest material or the best option for avoiding enemy fire, but paper has other virtues, and South Korea has decided to rely on them to develop its military drone fleet.

The decision came at a complicated time. Both in terms of international politics, due to the ongoing friction with Pyongyang and Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House; Domestically, with the recent declaration of martial law, something that has not happened since the late 70s has happened.

Cardboard drones? That’s it. The information came from the South Korean Government itself, more precisely from the Ministry of Defense, which announced its intention to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles made of cardboard.

Not only this. Seoul wants them now, too. Its aim is to complete the procurement of around a hundred units in the rest of the year and to include them in the UAV Operations Command by making them available to the army in the first half of 2025.

Does context matter? Too much. The already fragile bond between Seoul and Pyongyang has struggled to reach its most critical point in recent years; This relationship showed one of its most media-mediated manifestations with the passing of drones and garbage balloons. At the national level, the scenario is also turbulent in South Korea. Its president, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law, something not seen since the murder of Park Chung Hee in 1979.

Yoon also imposed martial law despite more or less veiled criticism of the opposition, which he accused of bowing to Pyongyang’s interests. “I declare martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eliminate the vile pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to preserve the constitutional order,” he said.

Beyond his criticisms, the truth is that Yoon saw how his government was conditioned by its own political weakness. The latest example occurred this week, when the opposition managed to cut state accounts. Yoon hasn’t been immune to scandals either. The most notable of these is probably the accusation of corruption against his wife.

So why cardboard drones? Although it is not the most durable material, cardboard has other properties that have attracted the attention of South Korean officials. For starters, its price. Cardboard is much cheaper than plastic or metal. Korea JoongAng Daily It is stated that the cost of each paper drone is five million South Korean won, which is just over $3,500.

Are there more reasons? Yes. Even South Korean state broadcaster KBS reported that such drones made of corrugated cardboard “hidden economy”It refers to technology as well as its low cost securityThis is intended to ensure that military devices are as little visible as possible to enemy radars, infrared and sonar.

Seoul hopes these cardboard drones will make things harder for North Korean radars without needing to give them special treatment. They take advantage of how radar signals react to paper. This additional advantage further strengthens the cost-benefit ratio.

What did the government say? It wants to gain power in a complex scenario marked by strained relations with its northern neighbor, which has declared Seoul its “enemy number one”, and the rapprochement between Kim Jong-un and Russia. “We are working to strengthen our drone capabilities through a variety of means, including national and international acquisitions,” the Ministry of Defense said.

Ministry spokesman Jeon Ha-Kyou adds that this case shows that drones are “elements of change in modern warfare.” The goal of the South Korean army will be to use the new cardboard vehicles for various purposes. Although it will be used in reconnaissance missions at first, officials do not rule out the possibility of it being used in kamikaze missions in the future.

“It is an undeniable fact that UAVs are changing the rules of the game in modern warfare, which is why our military is intensifying its efforts in this field,” he emphasizes.

Are there any examples? Yes, one of the most closely followed wars in Europe is Ukraine. In 2023, several reports emerged describing exactly how Kiev was using cardboard drones to respond to Russia. In particular, unmanned aerial vehicles from Sypaq, the Australian company behind the Corvo precision payload distribution system (PPDS), were targeted.

The Australian company announced the production of Corvo PPDS units, “disposable and low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles for the delivery of supplies and equipment” for the Ukrainian Armed Forces; but he acknowledges that they are also “adapted for intelligence, surveillance and recognition”.

In an attack on Kursk airport with cardboard drones, Ukrainian forces managed to damage a Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft and four other SU-30s, as well as missile launchers, among other Russian devices.

What benefits do they offer? In an article published in SpeechResearcher Paul Cureton from Lancaster University summarizes some of the features of cardboard drones as follows: They can carry a five-kilogram payload, offer a range of 120 kilograms and cost approximately $3,500. It also highlights the advantages of waxed cardboard, which is an “ideal material” due to its weather resistance and ability to be transported in flat packs.

“And more importantly, its lightweight construction enables a greater flight range and a cruising speed of 60 km/h,” he emphasizes.

South Korea and Ukraine are not the only ones examining these capabilities. Like North Korean media Korea Times, Korea JoongAng Daily or KBS channel’s shift that North Korea may have already acquired similar technology. In fact, a drone thought to be made of corrugated cardboard was seen at a military exhibition held recently.

Pictures | Sypaq 1 and 2 (X) and the Trump White House Archived (Flickr)

in Xataka | South Korea has a huge loneliness problem and the plan to solve it: $322 million