Domestic defense industry corporations are increasing investments to secure artificial intelligence (AI) software technology in preparation for unmanned warfare. This is because AI-based unmanned weapon systems have emerged as a key factor determining the outcome of modern warfare, as demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine war. Defense corporations are actively seeking to acquire various AI software technologies that enhance unmanned capabilities through equity investments and other means.
On the 12th, according to the defense industry, Hanwha Aerospace recently invested in the U.S. defense technology startup Shield AI. Shield AI announced on the 6th that it secured $240 million (about 349 billion won) from Hanwha Aerospace and L3 Harris as strategic investors, along with existing investor Andreessen Horowitz. Shield AI was valued at $5.3 billion.
Shield AI is a company that develops software for drones and autonomous systems. Using the AI-based software platform it developed, the company can create hardware for autonomous flying vehicles and autonomous robots. Hanwha Aerospace is reportedly reviewing the application of Shield AI software for its developing unmanned weapons systems.
Currently, Hanwha Aerospace, along with Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean, is developing AI and unmanned systems-based weapons systems for land, sea, and air. Hanwha Aerospace plans to secure various types and sizes of unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) by 2028, including the wheeled multipurpose unmanned vehicle Arion-SMET, the next-generation unmanned vehicle GRUNT (Ground Uncrewed Transport), and an explosives detection and disposal robot scheduled to be operational this year. Last month, Hanwha Aerospace decided to co-develop the latest tracked UGV T-RCV (Tracked-Robotic Combat Vehicle) with Estonian Milrem Robotics and jointly target overseas markets.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is building an AI technology ecosystem through equity investments and collaborations with AI software companies. This is aimed at strengthening the core technology of the next-generation aerial combat system (NACS) and software development capabilities, which is one of its six future business areas. KAI is working to develop a fully autonomous AI pilot combat system by 2030. Recently, it named its AI pilot, which remotely controls unmanned combat aircraft, 'KAILOT.'
Earlier this month, KAI invested 6 billion won in AI-based defense synthetic data solution company GenGenAI, becoming its second-largest shareholder (9.87% equity). GenGenAI has developed data generation technology that is difficult to obtain in real-world environments. KAI plans to use synthetic data from GenGenAI to generate training data for automatic target identification of AI pilots (technology that recognizes, monitors, and scouts targets based on pre-trained images).
Last November, KAI became the second-largest shareholder (20.27% equity) after investing 13.3 billion won in the AI firm Funzin, which specializes in robotics and defense. Funzin developed its own AI staff technology in 2023.
A KAI official noted, "I believe that we can increase the operational success rate on the battlefield by utilizing multifunctional unmanned aircraft and unmanned combat aircraft that are based on AI pilots for remote operation."
The importance of AI technology is also increasing in maritime defense. Jung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, met with Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp in the U.S. on the 6th to discuss defense collaboration. Palantir is a defense company that uses AI software to analyze military data and strategize.
Since September of last year, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been co-developing the unmanned surface vessel TENEBRIS with Palantir. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to complete the development of the unmanned surface vessel, which is key to maritime unmanned systems, by next year.