South Korea, US sign preliminary deal on drone cooperation

South Korea and the United States have entered into a preliminary agreement to broaden cooperation on drone and counter-drone technologies, as part of wider efforts to improve interoperability between the two allies in joint military operations, the defence ministry said on May 15.

The memorandum of intent was signed in Seoul between Jeon Joon-boem, director general of the defence artificial intelligence (AI) planning bureau, and Patrick Mason, deputy assistant secretary of the US Army for defence exports and cooperation, Caliber.Az reports, citing Korean media.

The agreement envisions South Korean drone and anti-drone systems being listed on an online platform run by the US Department of War, which is expected to be launched by the end of the year.

According to the ministry, the initiative is likely to facilitate two-way trade and operational use of related South Korean products, while also helping to reduce logistics expenses.

As part of the deal, both sides plan to work toward establishing common standards for small drone batteries in the near term, aimed at improving efficiency and compatibility between the allies.

The two countries also agreed to set up a working-level group to maintain close coordination going forward.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov