Sonid Acquires 86% Stake in Defense Korea... Strengthening Cooperation with Polish and UAE Defense Companies

Sonid, a KOSDAQ-listed company, is incorporating Defense Korea, a specialized domestic company in anti-terrorism equipment and robots, as a subsidiary. Sonid announced on the 19th that its board of directors resolved to acquire an additional 36% stake in Defense Korea.

With this, Sonid has secured an 86% stake in Defense Korea and plans to acquire additional shares in the future. Additionally, the CEO and other executives of Defense Korea will be replaced with Sonid executives.

Defense Korea has introduced explosive ordnance disposal robots, X-ray systems, and communication control equipment domestically in cooperation with overseas companies. It also contributed to the localization of the recoilless water cannon KD-101, which has a world-first recoil absorption rate of over 99%, reducing the previous 100% import dependence on recoilless water cannons.

Last year, Defense Korea signed exclusive distribution agreements in Korea with PIAP, the robotics division under the Polish state research institute, and Calidus, a defense company from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), securing comprehensive rights including exclusive distribution, joint development, and technology transfer of equipment developed by these companies in Korea.

Sonid has opened and is operating a PIAP product showroom at its headquarters. PIAP has entered the Korean market about 10 years ago, and its explosive ordnance disposal robots have been supplied to the South Korean military and police special forces, playing active roles in various military training and anti-terrorism operations.

In October last year, Sonid jointly planned and operated a 'UAE Exclusive Exhibition Hall' with Calidus at 'Seoul ADEX 2023.' Calidus granted Defense Korea the authority to promote business opportunities, including marketing of military equipment in Korea and fulfilling offset trade obligations.

Calidus is recognized as a major defense company in the UAE, elevating aviation and ground defense equipment to a world-class level. Representative defense equipment includes the B-250 trainer, the first developed in the UAE, and the WAHASH armored vehicle.

A Sonid official stated, “Through this acquisition, we will do our best to bring the business onto the main track in various fields such as domestic manufacturing, joint development, and participation in research projects, along with the 'exclusive distribution contracts in Korea' signed with Polish and UAE defense companies since last year. We also expect a high synergy effect with Sonid’s core business.”