SEOUL, Republic of Korea — October 2026 — South Korea’s expansion of unmanned military systems is moving beyond the acquisition of individual platforms toward a broader operational model that connects sensors, communications, artificial intelligence and command-and-control systems.
As unmanned reconnaissance vehicles, robots and aircraft take on a wider range of missions, the ability to share battlefield information and operate alongside crewed forces is becoming increasingly important. This is also expanding the industrial ecosystem surrounding unmanned systems.
That direction is reflected in the South Korean government’s proposed 2027 defense budget.
Funding for AI and manned-unmanned teaming systems is set to increase by 55.5%, from KRW 496.8 billion in 2026 to KRW 772.7 billion in 2027.
The increase is spread across several areas rather than being concentrated on a single weapons program.
The budget proposal includes a new KRW 43 billion demonstration program for AI-enabled physical systems in areas including transportation, base security and hazardous-material handling. Investment is also continuing in unmanned ground surveillance sensors, explosive-ordnance detection and disposal robots, autonomous underwater mine-search systems and other technologies intended for high-risk missions.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has also identified AI and manned-unmanned teaming as an important future-capability area, alongside efforts to accelerate the acquisition of unmanned and counter-drone systems.
The expansion of unmanned capabilities is also extending into the aviation sector.
South Korea is developing domestically produced propulsion systems for future unmanned aircraft, and DAPA and the Agency for Defense Development have unveiled prototypes of a 5,500-pound-class turbofan engine and a 1,400-horsepower-class turboprop engine.
The turbofan engine 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.
However, expanding the number of unmanned platforms does not automatically translate into greater operational capability.
Effective deployment requires communications networks capable of transmitting information in real time, AI technologies to process and analyze sensor data, and command-and-control systems that can distribute information and coordinate missions with crewed forces.
As a result, the competitiveness of future manned-unmanned operations is likely to depend not only on the performance of individual drones, robots or vehicles, but also on how effectively sensors, networks, AI and C4I systems can be integrated.
This is also broadening the potential defense-industrial market.
The unmanned-systems ecosystem can include electro-optical and radar sensor companies, tactical communications suppliers, robotics and autonomous-driving developers, AI software companies, navigation and positioning technology providers, and command-and-control solution suppliers, in addition to manufacturers of complete unmanned platforms.
That broader technology ecosystem will be one of the areas highlighted at K-DEX 2026, which will take place from December 8 to 11 at KINTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Goyang, Republic of Korea.
One of the exhibition’s five principal technology themes is Physical AI-Based Autonomous & Manned-Unmanned Teaming Systems, covering autonomous platforms, AI-enabled technologies and solutions supporting cooperation between crewed and uncrewed systems.
At the same time, the Hyper-Connected Networks & Intelligent Command and Control theme will focus on technologies such as connected networks, AI-enabled command and control, and C4I systems that link unmanned platforms with the wider battlefield environment.
Other major themes include drone and counter-drone systems, long-range precision strike and smart military infrastructure.
These areas can increasingly be viewed as interconnected elements of the future battlefield rather than entirely separate technology sectors.
As the operational role of unmanned systems grows, the importance of integration technologies is likely to increase as well.
A reconnaissance drone must be able to transmit information rapidly to ground forces. An unmanned ground vehicle operating alongside crewed units requires reliable communications and mission coordination. Commanders must also be able to combine data generated by multiple sensors and platforms into a coherent operational picture.
That requires resilient networks, information-fusion technologies and command systems capable of handling increasingly complex battlefield data.
For this reason, K-DEX 2026 can provide opportunities not only for manufacturers of complete weapon systems, but also for companies developing the enabling technologies needed to build future manned-unmanned forces.
International companies in the fields of sensors, communications, AI, robotics, autonomous mobility, navigation and command and control can use the exhibition to assess how their technologies may connect with South Korea’s future-force requirements.
Korean companies can similarly present their technologies to overseas military, government and defense-industry representatives and explore potential cooperation with countries pursuing their own unmanned and automated force-development programs.
K-DEX 2026 will be the first international ground defense exhibition held following the integration of KADEX and DX KOREA.
The event will take place across Halls 6, 7, 8 and 9B of KINTEX Exhibition Center 2, with additional programs including B2B and G2B meetings, technical presentations, seminars and networking activities.
The proposed increase in funding for AI and manned-unmanned systems in 2027 indicates that South Korea’s investment in unmanned capabilities is expanding beyond individual platforms toward a broader technology ecosystem.
As more unmanned systems move toward operational deployment, enabling technologies including sensors, communications, AI and command and control are likely to become increasingly important.
Visitor pre-registration for K-DEX 2026 is currently 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.
