The US Marines tested first-person view (FPV) drones, proven effective in the Russia-Ukraine war, with live fire for the first time in South Korea. The exercise took place at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, near the North Korean border.
Six FPV drone strikes were carried out at the facility, about 30 kilometers south of the demilitarized zone. All shots accurately hit simulated barracks targets 900 meters away.
These drones, widely used in the Russia-Ukraine war, are remotely controlled via operator goggles and destroy targets by crashing into them. Depending on the mission, they can be equipped with armor-piercing, material-destroying, or anti-personnel warheads.
The US Marines stated that the exercise demonstrated technology enabling small units to conduct precision strikes from safer distances. It was emphasized that this capability provides tactical reach beyond traditional infantry weapons.
The exercise, conducted in coordination with the South Korean military, was assessed as part of efforts to strengthen combined military readiness between the two allies.