On the 10th, Four Organizations Sign MOU for Cooperation in Defense Technology Development
City - Kumoh National Institute of Technology - Army Aviation School - Gumi Electronics and Information Technology Research Institute
On the 10th, Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the City Hall’s International Trade and Cooperation Office with four institutions: Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Army Aviation School, and Gumi Electronics & Information Technology Research Institute, to advance technology in the defense sector, including manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in aviation.
The signing ceremony was attended by Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho, Kumoh National Institute of Technology President Kwak Hosang, Army Aviation School Commander Kang Bubong (Brigadier General), Gumi Electronics & Information Technology Research Institute President Moon Chuyeon, and 15 other participants. The institutions pledged close cooperation in areas such as information exchange, technical support, research on military applications, development of test systems, testing and demonstration, and consulting in the field of manned-unmanned teaming, especially in aviation, which is expected to lead future battlefields.
The Army Aviation School will propose necessary technologies for aviation MUM-T identified during military helicopter pilot training, while Gumi Electronics & Information Technology Research Institute will discover related companies in the Gumi region to support technology development, testing, and demonstration. Kumoh National Institute of Technology will cooperate in core technology development and project planning, and Gumi City will provide administrative and financial support.
Since being selected in April last year for the MUM-T specialized defense innovation cluster project, Gumi City has been building the foundation for a defense MUM-T ecosystem through the establishment of related testing and demonstration infrastructure (Advanced Defense Industry Promotion Center, Nakdong River Unmanned Surface Vehicle Testbed), research projects, development of small-scale demonstration systems, training of specialized personnel, and support for defense industry entry and startups.
Additionally, Gumi City holds the 2nd Operational Commander's Dronebot Combat Competition annually and, in February this year, signed the nation’s first MOU for a national key facility anti-drone integrated protection demonstration district. In June, the city was selected for a project to build an industrial innovation base for the localization and independence of system semiconductor parts and materials for advanced defense industries. In August, it was also chosen for a project to demonstrate super-large AI-based defense product design and maintenance services, among other initiatives to advance the new defense industry.
The industry is also supporting Gumi’s leadership in the new defense sector. Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1, both based in Gumi, are developing unmanned surface vehicles, and LIG Nex1 has established a system integration test center for unmanned surface vehicles at its Gumi House. Although not yet confirmed, there are expectations that production of Ghost Robotics’ quadrupedal defense robots, acquired by LIG Nex1, may also take place in Gumi.
Mayor Kim Jangho stated, “This MOU will create great synergy in the advancement of defense manned-unmanned teaming, and we expect it to strengthen national defense capabilities and drive the growth of local defense companies. We will further solidify our status as a hub for K-defense new industries by attracting defense R&D institutions and specialized defense industry complexes.”
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