Breaking News: U.S. and South Korea Unite to Build Next-Generation Military Drones for Global Export.

American Company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace have taken a major step forward in strengthening international defense cooperation with the signing of a new collaboration agreement focused on the joint development and production of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The agreement marks a strategic alignment between two of the world’s leading aerospace and defense firms, aimed at expanding their presence in the global UAS market amid rising demand for unmanned capabilities in modern warfare.
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The United States and South Korea strengthen their strategic defense partnership through a groundbreaking collaboration to develop and produce advanced unmanned aircraft systems for the global market. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

This new partnership is rooted in a key milestone achieved in November 2024, when American Company GA-ASI (General Atomics Aeronautical Systems) and Hanwha Aerospace from South Korea successfully conducted a historic flight demonstration involving the MQ-1C Gray Eagle® Short Takeoff and Landing (GE STOL) UAS (Unmanned Aerial System). Launched from the South Korean Navy’s amphibious landing ship ROKS Dokdo (LPH-6111) while underway off the coast of Pohang, the demonstration proved the Gray Eagle STOL’s ability to operate from naval vessels—without requiring catapults or arresting gear. This capability opens new dimensions for multi-domain operations, offering U.S. and allied forces greater flexibility in deploying persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and strike assets in contested or remote environments.

In an era where drone warfare has become a central element of military strategy—from Ukraine to the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific theaters—this U.S.-South Korea initiative arrives at a critical time. Nations around the world are rapidly expanding their drone fleets to gain battlefield superiority, boost surveillance reach, and conduct precision strikes while minimizing human risk. The Gray Eagle STOL provides a robust answer to these evolving needs, blending the proven reliability of the Gray Eagle 25M airframe with enhanced STOL performance that supports operations from beaches, roads, parking lots, and other non-traditional runways.

Hanwha Aerospace is making a strong commitment to this joint effort, pledging more than 300 billion KRW (approximately USD 203.5 million) to develop GE STOL and related engine production facilities. This includes expanding R&D, establishing manufacturing infrastructure in both South Korea and the United States, and creating a robust supply chain by engaging domestic component suppliers. The economic impact is expected to be significant, with projections of nearly 10,000 jobs created over the next decade—at least 500 of them in the U.S.—fostering technological innovation and workforce development in both nations.

The importance of this collaboration extends beyond industrial development. Strategically, it reinforces the long-standing U.S.-South Korea alliance by embedding a shared investment in next-generation military capabilities. Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI, emphasized the significance of this partnership, noting that the successful test flight was well received by the Republic of Korea Navy and expressing confidence in Hanwha’s commitment to jointly grow the UAS business in both countries.

Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Dong Kwan Kim highlighted unmanned systems as a critical future domain for defense and security. “Through our collaboration with GA-ASI, we aim to strengthen sovereign defense capabilities, expand Korea’s presence in the global UAS market, and contribute to a more robust ROK-U.S. alliance,” he said.

The Gray Eagle STOL, formerly known as Mojave, stands out in the crowded UAS field due to its versatility and operational independence. As the only medium-altitude, long-endurance drone capable of launching and recovering from a wide range of ship classes and austere locations, it has already set multiple industry benchmarks. Beyond its deployment aboard the Dokdo, it has conducted flight operations from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, and participated in live-fire testing at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona—proving its adaptability across multiple combat scenarios.

This U.S.-South Korean venture is particularly timely as the global military drone market is experiencing explosive growth, driven by increasing geopolitical tensions and the shift toward network-centric warfare. For both companies, this collaboration not only expands their technological and commercial reach but also sets the foundation for a new model of allied industrial cooperation—one capable of responding to rapidly evolving battlefield requirements with speed, agility, and precision.

As drones become indispensable in modern military doctrine, partnerships like the one between GA-ASI and Hanwha Aerospace are likely to define the next phase of UAS evolution. With Gray Eagle STOL positioned at the forefront, this initiative could reshape how armed forces project power, gather intelligence, and maintain superiority in future conflicts.