Seoul: Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace Co. announced its collaboration with U.S. defense company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to develop a short take-off and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This agreement signifies an important advance in defense industry cooperation between South Korea and the United States.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the deal, which focuses on the development of the Gray Eagle-STOL (GE-STOL), was signed at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) defense exhibition in Washington. The agreement outlines plans to create a prototype of the GE-STOL UAV, conduct its maiden flight by 2027, and deliver the first unit to an international customer by 2028.

Hanwha Aerospace President and CEO Son Jae-il emphasized the company's readiness to expand into the unmanned aviation sector, citing their expertise in fighter jet engines, radar, and avionics. As part of this initiative, Hanwha Aerospace intends to invest 750 billion won (approximately US$540 million) in its UAV business, including establishing a domestic production facility for the GE-STOL platform.

GA-ASI has projected that global demand for the GE-STOL could reach 15 trillion won over the next decade, underscoring the potential market impact of this collaboration.