South Korea is planning to purchase two unmanned surveillance aircraft to strengthen its reconnaissance capability over the western sea border with North Korea, a government source has said.

“The two unmanned aerial vehicles will be deployed near the northern limit line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea to monitor North Korean military activities,” an unnamed source told Yonhap news agency.

Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle is being considered by the Korean intelligence authorities.

The S-100 is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system developed for maritime applications without the need for additional landing equipment.

North Korea does not recognise the NLL and is demanding a new border be established.