S. Korea’s defenses may fall short against low-cost drone swarms: report

What happened: A state-run South Korean defense research institute said existing counter-drone systems have clear limitations against swarms of low-cost medium-sized attack drones. Key numbers: US Patriot interceptor stocks fell about 65 percent as of late July from prewar February levels; THAAD inventories dropped an estimated 40 to 50 Why it matters: The report says repeated launches of cheap drones could deplete costly interceptor stocks, favoring the attacker, and calls for a layered defense combining electronic warfare, interceptor drones, lasers and high-power microwave systems.

A state-run South Korean defense research institute said existing counter-drone systems have clear limitations against swarms of low-cost medium-sized attack drones.

The report says repeated launches of cheap drones could deplete costly interceptor stocks, favoring the attacker, and calls for a layered defense combining electronic warfare, interceptor drones, lasers and high-power microwave systems.