Military to Introduce Cost-Effective Paper-Made 'Stealth' Technology

North Korea Also Demonstrates Vehicle Explosion Using Corrugated Cardboard Drone
Ukraine Utilizes in War... Proves Operational Performance

The military authorities are introducing cardboard drones, known as 'cost-effective stealth' drones because they are inexpensive and barely detectable by radar.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 3rd, the military plans to finalize the contract for cardboard drone procurement by the end of this year and receive about 100 units early next year to be deployed to the Drone Operations Command. The Ministry of National Defense explained, "We are promoting the strengthening of drone capabilities through various measures, including domestic and international purchases." The military intends to initially operate the cardboard drones for reconnaissance purposes and is considering introducing or developing them later for 'suicide attack' purposes.

A paper drone made of corrugated cardboard is exhibited at the 6th Korea Defense Industry Exhibition held last September at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

Since cardboard drones are made of 'paper,' their production cost is low and they are difficult to intercept. They are evaluated as having excellent cost-performance. Due to the material properties, even without special treatment, they are barely detected by radar, enabling stealth-like performance. Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia, actively utilized them, proving both economic efficiency and operational performance.

North Korea also attracted attention when a drone presumed to be a cardboard drone was spotted at the armed equipment exhibition 'Defense Development-2024' held at the end of last month. Among the unmanned aerial vehicles publicly displayed by North Korea without mosaics at that time, there was a drone whose wings and fuselage appeared to be fixed with rubber bands. This drone had the same shape as the suicide drone revealed earlier on the 15th of last month, which had attacked a BMW passenger car.

Since North Korea suggested the possibility of low-cost, low-detection, and mass attacks using cardboard drones, it is interpreted that our military is also securing capabilities to respond in the same manner.