Jeon Jun-beom, left, director general of the Defense Ministry's AI Planning Bureau, and Patrick H. Mason, deputy assistant secretary for defense exports and cooperation for the U.S. Army, shake hands at the ministry in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense
Korea and the United States moved Friday to tighten military cooperation on drones and counter-drone systems, signaling a new phase in the alliance as both countries race to adapt to rapidly changing battlefield technologies shaped by modern conflicts.
The two governments signed a letter of intent on drone and counter-drone cooperation and market participation during a ceremony at Korea’s Ministry of National Defense in Seoul.
The agreement was signed by Jeon Jun-beom, director general of the ministry’s Defense AI Planning Bureau, and Patrick H. Mason, deputy assistant secretary for defense exports and cooperation for the U.S. Army.
Under the agreement, the two sides said, they will work to establish a joint supply chain and develop shared standards for drone and counter-drone systems used by allied forces.
One major focus will be the inclusion of Korean-made products on a drone and counter-drone online marketplace platform the U.S. Department of Defense plans to launch later this year.
Defense officials said the initiative could allow both countries to purchase and operate Korean-made systems more efficiently while improving interoperability and reducing logistics costs.
The two allies also agreed to pursue standardization efforts for drone technologies used in combined military operations.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
