This photo, provided by Korean Air Co., shows representatives of the South Korean company and U.S. defense technology company Anduril Industries Inc. attending a partnership agreement signing ceremony at a hotel in Seoul on Aug. 7, 2025. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — HD Hyundai Co. and Korean Air Co. on Thursday announced separate agreements with U.S. defense technology firm Anduril Industries Inc. to jointly develop unmanned defense platforms, in a push to expand their presences in the field of military systems based on artificial intelligence (AI).
HD Hyundai, a South Korean shipbuilding conglomerate, said it signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Andurill on Wednesday at its global research center in Seongnam, south of Seoul, as a follow-up to an earlier memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in April.
Under the MOA, HD Hyundai will integrate Anduril’s autonomous mission execution systems into its USVs currently under development for the Korean market.
HD Hyundai will provide AI-based autonomy solutions for Anduril’s manned and unmanned naval platforms for the U.S. market, in addition to handling ship design and construction.
The companies also agreed to jointly develop prototype USVs tailored for both the Korean and U.S. markets, with the Korean prototype slated for release around 2027.
Separately, Korean Air said it has formed a strategic partnership with Anduril to co-develop autonomous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for South Korea and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
This file photo provided by HD Hyundai Co. on April 7, 2025, shows Palmer Luckey (C), co-founder of U.S. defense firm Anduril Industries Inc., being briefed on the South Korean shipbuilding conglomerate’s development projects at a HD Hyundai facility. (Yonhap)
The announcement was made during an event commemorating the launch of Anduril’s office in Seoul.
Under the partnership, Korean Air and Anduril will co-develop Korean-type UAS based on Anduril’s proprietary platforms and explore export opportunities across the region. The companies are also considering establishing manufacturing infrastructure in the country.
“This partnership combines Korean Air’s proven expertise in UAS with Anduril’s cutting-edge AI technology,” said Lim Jin-kyu, senior vice president and head of Korean Air’s aerospace division. “This collaboration will enhance our capabilities and represents a significant milestone in the global unmanned systems market.”
Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ special ship business division, said, “Through collaboration with Anduril, which possesses world-class autonomous mission technology, we aim to develop the most advanced unmanned naval platforms.”
Founded in 2017, Anduril has drawn attention for its software-first approach to defense development. The company is known for its AI-powered mission control systems, as well as its autonomous surveillance and reconnaissance technologies.
Anduril currently supplies systems to the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense and the Australian military.
(Yonhap)
