Story perspectives

South Korea Deploys Anti-Drone Netting on Ferry During CJLOTS

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

South Korean forces placed anti-drone netting on a ferry during CJLOTS 26 at Dogu Beach, Pohang, on July 9 2026.
The netting covered only part of the ferry while Korean personnel used an Improved Navy Lighterage System to move U.S. Marine Corps vehicles ashore, following February Pentagon Interagency Task Force 401 guidance that advises passive barriers.
At 10 knots the ferry’s 12-nautical-mile transit took about 72 minutes, exposing it to routes and requiring extra air defenses.

History

Historical Context

On 12 October 2000 al-Qaeda’s suicide attack on USS Cole in Aden killed 17 sailors and exposed gaps in shipboard protection. The U.S. Navy responded with a sweeping security overhaul, enhancing passive defenses and investing in laser and electronic-warfare upgrades. Those measures underpin joint Korean-American exercises like the July 9 2026 annual strategic CJLOTS 26 operation.

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Story summary

South Korean forces placed anti-drone netting on a ferry during CJLOTS 26 at Dogu Beach, Pohang, on July 9 2026.
The netting covered only part of the ferry while Korean personnel used an Improved Navy Lighterage System to move U.S. Marine Corps vehicles ashore, following February Pentagon Interagency Task Force 401 guidance that advises passive barriers.
At 10 knots the ferry’s 12-nautical-mile transit took about 72 minutes, exposing it to routes and requiring extra air defenses.

1 / 2