The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 17th that it has completed the production facility for the medium-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (MUAV) and will begin assembly production.
DAPA plans to sequentially deliver the MUAV to the Air Force starting in 2027 after undergoing procedures for small and medium assembly of the aircraft, complete assembly, ground testing, and non-destructive testing.
The MUAV is the first strategic unmanned aerial vehicle developed in South Korea. The development has been underway since 2008 under the supervision of the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality. The development was completed in March 2022 with the completion of combat qualification assessment and defense standardization.
In December last year, DAPA signed a mass production contract worth 471.7 billion won with three firms, including Korean Air, LIG Nex1, and Hanwha Systems, which produce the MUAV prototypes.
A DAPA official noted, "The MUAV will enhance the military's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and will be utilized in various domestic sectors such as the Navy and Coast Guard through future modifications and developments." The official also said, "Global exports are expected."