LIG Nex1, S.Korea's Air Force Academy sign future defense tech deal

LIG Nex1 Co. and Republic of (South) Korea Air Force Academy have agreed on close cooperation in joint research on defense technology and personnel exchanges for operating advanced weapons systems of the future.

The aerospace and defense company on Friday said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the academy on presenting the direction of development of the Air Force's weapons system through joint research and creation of the operating concept of advanced weapons systems of the future.

Both sides will research defense policy for the operation of advanced weapons systems of the future, defense technology such as manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, drones and guided weapons, and other defense fields of mutual interest; offer education and support to develop future military talent; conduct exchanges of academy professors and LIG Nex1 members; and perform joint academic activities in the country.

"We will continue cooperating with the Air Force Academy to research and operate advanced weapon systems of the future in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," Lee Gun-hyuk, head of LIG Nex 1's precision guided munitions division, said at the signing ceremony.

"The signing of this MOU holds great significance in fostering talent for the Air Force," the academy's superintendent Lee Sang-hak said. "We will do our best to train excellent Air Force officers responsible for defending the Republic of Korea, including in the future space sector."

Write to Seo-Woo Jang at suwu@hankyung.com