K-Defense Export Market Now Led by SMEs

Augmented Intelligence Demonstrates Virtual Reality for Aircraft Maintenance
Technology Already Proven in Domestic Aviation Science High Schools
Advanced Defense Technologies Such as Domestically Deployed Anti-Drone Systems Showcased

On the 21st (local time), at the booth of the Korean SME Augmented Intelligence in the Korea Pavilion at the 'Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025' in Malaysia, putting on a mixed reality (MR) headset similar to goggles brought up a three-dimensional image of the landing gear (wheels used during landing) of a Boeing 737 right in front of the user's eyes. Instructions on how to open the landing gear brake appeared at the bottom of the screen, accompanied by an audio guide with the same content. When the user said "Next page," the screen advanced to the next step.

On the 21st (local time), at the Korea Pavilion set up at the Malaysia Defense Exhibition 'LIMA 2025,' Geunsik Cho, CEO of Augmented Intelligence Inc. (center), is guiding the experience of an aircraft maintenance simulator using AI-based mixed reality (MR). Korea Defense Industry Promotion Association.

This event showcased Korean SMEs at an exhibition hall organized by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Agency for Defense Development. The participation of these organizations in the exhibition suggests that, if Malaysian royalty or high-ranking government and military officials choose products from Korean SMEs, the Korean government will act as a guarantor and supporter. This serves as a powerful backing for SMEs seeking new business opportunities.

Augmented Intelligence Realizes Virtual Reality for Aircraft Maintenance

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Agency for Defense Development brought together SMEs such as Augmented Intelligence to set up a booth called the Korea Pavilion at the event. When Augmented Intelligence demonstrated its MR headset to visitors, it drew significant attention from the crowd near the Korea Pavilion. A representative from Augmented Intelligence explained to participants, "We trained artificial intelligence (AI) with hundreds of thousands of pages of aircraft maintenance manuals and then implemented them virtually," adding, "According to the Aviation Safety Act, aircraft maintenance must strictly follow the manual, and by following the virtual screen and audio, work efficiency is improved." Geunsik Cho, CEO of Augmented Intelligence, added, "It can also be used while repairing actual aircraft," and "working hours are reduced by half."

Technology Already Proven in Domestic Aviation Science High Schools

This technology is currently being used in institutions such as aviation science high schools. According to the Aviation Safety Act, aviation maintenance education institutions are required to own at least three actual aircraft, but in 2021, the government’s regulatory sandbox system was applied to this technology. CEO Cho stated, "We are preparing to collaborate with the American aircraft engine manufacturer GE Aerospace," and expressed hope to enter the aviation education and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) markets in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

Another SME, Postech, which produces optical communication cable connectors, hopes to emerge as an alternative to European and American companies through this exhibition. Missile defense systems such as Cheongung and L-SAM consist of launchers, command and control centers, and radars, and Postech manufactures the cables that connect these components. Currently, this market is dominated by American and European companies.

Yoonjo Lee, Deputy General Manager at Postech, said, "Our products are priced at about 70% of those from American and European companies, and our delivery times are more than one-third faster," adding, "We aim to gradually capture market share in sectors currently dominated by advanced countries by leveraging these strengths." Postech’s products are used in the Navy’s Ulsan-class frigates and will also be installed in the future Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX).

On the 21st (local time), the Korean Pavilion booth at the Malaysia defense exhibition 'LIMA 2025' showcased Vistacom's backpack-type anti-drone system, the 'Hybrid Drone Gun.' Korea Defense Industry Promotion Association.

At the booth of another SME, Vistacom, an anti-drone weapon known as the 'Drone Gun' was on display. Malaysian and Indonesian military personnel passing by asked questions about the product specifications, such as "How much does the Drone Gun weigh?" and "What is its effective range?"

Advanced Defense Technologies Such as Domestically Deployed Anti-Drone Systems Showcased

Vistacom’s anti-drone system is distinguished by its integration of multiple functions. In addition to detecting drones, it can simultaneously perform jamming, which disrupts the radio signals received by drones, and spoofing, which sends false GPS signals to mislead drones to incorrect locations. Vistacom’s products are currently used by the Army and the Korea Water Resources Corporation. Ryungkyung Lim, a manager at Vistacom, said, "Some organizations are sensitive to price, while others focus on performance, but their common concern is the need to protect critical national infrastructure from drones."

In addition, a variety of medium-sized and small enterprises participated in the exhibition, including VEX, which develops cable management support equipment for defense; Green Ship Technology, which manufactures coastal patrol and rescue boats; Union Precision, which supplies communication cables for K9 self-propelled howitzers; Shin An Information & Communication, which produces explosive detectors; E-Light, which manufactures searchlights; and Fine Precision, which makes aircraft wipers.