South Korea is developing next-generation military robots that will mimic the movements and capabilities of birds, snakes, marine creatures and even insects on the battlefields of the future.

The Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), which oversees the procurement of weapons systems for the military, has announced plans to develop “biomimetrics” equipment to assist the nation’s armed forces.

The plan calls for a number of “biobots” - robots that are based on real creatures - to be deployed as early as 2024, Yonhap News reported.

There is a recognition that the South Korean military will very soon need to rely more heavily on technology to defend the nation, with a falling birthrate meaning that fewer young men are available to do their mandatory national service, which ranges from 21 months in the army to 24 months in the air force.

In the initial stages, bird-like androids or swimming robots will be deployed to carry out reconnaissance operations, miniature mechanical flying devices will be able to provide information on the actions of an enemy force and robots that can move like a snake will be able to access constricted spaces.

As well as assisting in military operations, these devices will be able to assist in search-and-rescue operations and will have applications in areas affected by natural disasters.