Korea Aerospace Industries (047810.KS), or KAI, will jointly develop a physical artificial intelligence (AI)-based future combat system platform based on domestic proprietary technology in partnership with Team Naver, comprising Naver and Naver Cloud, the company said Friday.
The two sides signed a "Strategic Alliance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation in the Aerospace and Defense AI Sectors" at KAI's Sacheon headquarters the previous day. The signing ceremony was attended by key executives from the three companies, including KAI CEO Kim Jong-chul, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon, and Naver Cloud CEO Kim Yu-won.
Through the MOU, the parties agreed to combine KAI's aerospace and defense capabilities with Team Naver's AI and cloud technology. Specifically, the three companies aim to build a comprehensive cooperation system spanning from technology development to commercialization, including securing defense sovereign AI and developing proprietary models, jointly identifying new defense AI businesses, advancing physical AI, and expanding the defense AI ecosystem.
First, the three companies will pursue the development of unmanned aircraft autonomous flight and autonomous mission technologies, as well as an integrated AI platform for future combat systems. Through this, they plan to implement a proprietary defense AI optimized for the domestic security environment. The goal is to minimize dependence on foreign sources and secure sovereignty over defense AI technology.
Furthermore, they will jointly participate in government-led national research and development projects and block funding programs to preempt core next-generation defense physical AI technologies. They also plan to jointly identify new businesses, including laying the foundation for civilian-government-military cooperation that can lead to substantial follow-up commercialization.
In addition, they agreed to embed AI into future aerospace platforms such as manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) to advance the level of autonomy. They will also expand the AI cooperation system with defense and aerospace partner companies to foster a domestic defense AI ecosystem and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
"I am confident that by combining KAI's aerospace and defense expertise with Team Naver's AI and cloud technology, Korea will be able to establish sovereignty over defense AI technology and enhance its global competitiveness in physical AI-based unmanned aircraft and future combat systems," CEO Kim said.
"We will do our best to combine Team Naver's advanced AI capabilities with KAI's defense infrastructure to solidify Korea's technological sovereignty over national defense and security, and to create new global competitiveness for the future defense industry," CEO Choi emphasized.
