South Korea plans to develop and deploy an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at army and marine units by 2014 in an effort to boost its surveillance of North Korea.

The Defence Acquisition Programme Administration said in a statement that the South Korean defence ministry approved KRW30bn ($27m) for the UAV project, according to yonhapnews.

The development of the aircraft is expected to enhance the surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the South Korean armed forces.

Production work will begin following the development of the division-level units, according to officials.