Lee Hyun-soo, head of overseas business at LIG D&A, right, and Oliver Dürr, CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defence, pose after signing a strategic partnership agreement at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris on Monday. Courtesy of LIG D&A
A leading Korean defense company and one of Europe’s biggest military suppliers are moving to deepen ties as demand for air defense systems accelerates across the continent.
LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) said it has entered a strategic partnership with Rheinmetall Air Defence to pursue advanced air defense opportunities in Europe and among NATO members, including discussions on establishing a joint venture in Europe.
The agreement was signed Sunday at the Eurosatory international defense exhibition in Paris.
The companies said they are exploring ways to provide integrated air defense solutions tailored to growing European demand for multilayered protection against a wide range of aerial threats.
As a first step, the two companies are holding detailed discussions on creating a joint venture that would support localized development, production and sales activities in Europe.
The collaboration would combine LIG D&A’s medium- and long-range air defense missile systems with Rheinmetall’s expertise in very short-range air defense systems.
The companies also plan to jointly develop a new short-range air defense missile system, creating a broader portfolio that spans very short-range, short-range, medium-range and long-range air defense capabilities.
The partners said the goal is to strengthen their ability to offer turnkey solutions while building a stable European supply chain capable of meeting rising defense requirements.
Rheinmetall Air Defence is a major player in ground-based air defense systems, with capabilities that include sensors, fire-control systems, integrated command-and-control networks, air defense platforms and counter-drone technologies.
Source: Korea Times News
