SEOUL, Republic of Korea — October 2026 — South Korea is increasing investment in artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned teaming as it seeks to shift more military functions toward autonomous and technology-intensive systems.
Under the government’s proposed 2027 defense budget, funding for AI and manned-unmanned teaming systems is set to rise by 55.5%, from KRW 496.8 billion in 2026 to KRW 772.7 billion in 2027. The proposal forms part of a broader effort to respond to demographic pressures while developing a force structure less dependent on manpower and more heavily supported by advanced technology.
The budget proposal also includes a new KRW 43 billion demonstration program for AI-enabled physical systems in areas such as transportation, base security and hazardous-material handling. South Korea is continuing investment in unmanned ground surveillance sensors, explosive-ordnance detection and disposal robots, autonomous mine-countermeasure systems and other platforms designed to reduce personnel exposure to dangerous missions.
The investment reflects a broader policy direction already outlined by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
In its second-half policy agenda for 2026, DAPA identified the timely acquisition of AI and manned-unmanned systems among its core capability priorities and said it would accelerate the acquisition of unmanned and counter-drone systems.
The shift is not limited to ground vehicles.
South Korea is also developing domestic propulsion technologies for future unmanned aircraft. In July, DAPA and the Agency for Defense Development unveiled prototypes of a 5,500-pound-class turbofan engine and a 1,400-horsepower turboprop engine under development with Korean industry.
The turbofan is being developed with potential application to an unmanned combat aircraft operating alongside crewed fighters, while the turboprop is intended for future unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
Taken together, the programs illustrate how South Korea is moving from relatively isolated unmanned platforms toward a broader concept in which crewed and uncrewed systems operate together across reconnaissance, maneuver, protection and combat missions.
That transition will also be one of the technology areas highlighted at K-DEX 2026, the Korea International Army Defense Exhibition, which will take place from December 8 to 11 at KINTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Goyang, Republic of Korea.
Among the exhibition’s five principal technology themes is Autonomous & Manned-Unmanned Teaming Systems, covering unmanned reconnaissance vehicles, AI-enabled autonomous technologies and other systems intended to support closer cooperation between personnel and autonomous platforms.
The theme sits alongside intelligent command and control, long-range precision strike, drone and counter-drone systems, and smart military infrastructure.
The combination is significant because manned-unmanned teaming depends on more than the unmanned platform itself.
Autonomous systems require sensors to understand their environment, resilient communications to exchange information, command-and-control architectures to coordinate missions and AI-enabled software to support navigation, target recognition and operational decision-making.
For ground forces, that can mean pairing soldiers and crewed combat vehicles with unmanned reconnaissance, surveillance or support systems capable of entering hazardous areas before personnel or operating alongside them during missions.
South Korea’s military modernization efforts are increasingly incorporating this type of operational concept, while government investment is expanding across both autonomous systems and the infrastructure required to connect them.
K-DEX’s broader exhibition categories reflect that ecosystem.
The exhibition will include technologies spanning command and control, communications, mobility, intelligence, firepower, aviation and future technologies, in addition to dedicated areas for autonomous systems and other emerging defense technologies.
For international companies, this creates an opportunity to assess how technologies in areas such as autonomy, sensors, tactical communications, robotics and AI may fit into South Korea’s future-force development.
Korean companies will similarly be able to present their systems to overseas military, government and defense-industry representatives seeking solutions to reduce personnel exposure and expand the operational use of autonomous platforms.
K-DEX 2026 will be the first edition held following the integration of KADEX and DX KOREA into a single international ground defense exhibition. The event will occupy Halls 6, 7, 8 and 9B of KINTEX Exhibition Center 2.
Alongside the exhibition, B2B and G2B meetings, technical presentations, seminars and networking programs will provide additional opportunities for companies to discuss technology requirements and potential cooperation with defense stakeholders.
With South Korea proposing a significant increase in spending on AI and manned-unmanned capabilities for 2027, autonomous systems are moving from a future-force concept toward a more concrete acquisition and investment priority.
K-DEX 2026 will provide an opportunity to examine the technologies supporting that shift, from autonomous platforms themselves to the sensors, networks and command systems required to integrate them into military operations.
Visitor pre-registration for K-DEX 2026 is now open. Depending on eligibility, advance registrants may receive discounted or free admission, while pre-registration also provides a faster entry process at the venue.
Defense-industry professionals, buyers, military personnel and other prospective visitors can register through the official K-DEX 2026 website ahead of the December exhibition.
