South Korea, U.S. Bolster Drone Cooperation, Jointly Tackle Supply Chains and Standardization

South Korean and U.S. defense authorities have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a joint supply chain and cooperate on standardization for drone and counter-drone systems. Jeon Jun-beom, Director General for Defense AI Planning at South Korea's Ministry of National Defense, and Patrick Mason, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment (representing U.S. Army foreign military sales cooperation), signed on behalf of their respective sides.

The two countries agreed to pursue registering Korean-made products on the 'Drone and Counter-Drone Online Trading Platform' that the U.S. Department of War plans to establish within the year. They also agreed to establish a 'common standard system' for components such as small military drone batteries and communication modules, as well as a 'common certification system' applicable to both countries' weapon systems.

Following the signing of the LOI, defense authorities plan to form a working-level consultative body to discuss concrete implementation measures. Deputy Minister of National Defense Won Jong-dae evaluated the cooperation as the starting point for the ROK-U.S. alliance to evolve into a 'Drone Alliance,' and stated that he would work with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to build a stable joint supply chain.