Cooperation across four areas — including research and technology exchange for countering drone threats — laying the groundwork for future air defense weapon systems
Combining Airbility’s rapid private-sector development capability with the military’s operational experience to jointly identify new R&D projects
[August 27, 2026] Airbility (co-CEOs Jinmo Lee and Taekyu Ryu), a deep-tech aviation and defense company, announced on the 27th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Korea Army Air Defense School on the 11th to advance counter-drone weapon systems.
Through the agreement, the two organizations will work to counter the small unmanned aircraft and drone threats that have surged on the modern battlefield, and to build a foundation for civil-military cooperation in the development of future air defense weapon systems. The aim is to maximize counter-drone (C-UAS) capability by combining the military’s real-world operational experience with the rapid technology development capability of a private company.
The agreement covers four areas: ▲ research and exchange of technical information in the counter-drone and air defense fields; ▲ mutual cooperation for the advancement of civil-government-military weapon systems; ▲ identification of new projects to advance technology; and ▲ seminars, training, and the exchange of human and technical resources. The two sides will focus in particular on identifying new R&D projects that connect the military’s field requirements with private-sector unmanned aircraft technology, and plan to form a working-level council to discuss specific measures as needed.
Airbility brings together researchers formerly with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) — who worked on Korean aircraft including the KT-1, T-50 and KF-21 — with commercialization specialists from Hyundai Motor and LG Electronics; R&D personnel account for 80% of its workforce. The company has localized core components such as the battery pack and flight control software through in-house design, and since its founding in November 2023 has built out an electric aircraft lineup spanning the AB-U4, AB-U10 and AB-U60. In overseas markets, it is meeting demand on the strength of export eligibility free from ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) constraints together with price competitiveness. Building on this technology and development speed, Airbility will work with the Army Air Defense School to explore counter-drone systems optimized for military operating environments.
Brigadier General Manhee Lee, Commandant of the Army Air Defense School, said: “This agreement establishes a foundation for connecting outstanding private-sector technical capability with military expertise. We will continue our efforts to advance counter-drone technology and strengthen specialized capability so that we can respond effectively to changes in the future battlefield environment.”
Jinmo Lee, CEO of Airbility, said: “As drone technology advances ever faster, the counter-drone technology that answers it must evolve just as quickly. Through close exchange with the Army Air Defense School, we will identify technologies that can be put to practical use and do our utmost to contribute to the advancement of the Republic of Korea’s air defense system.”
Separately, Airbility received a Winner award at the 2026 Red Dot Design Award this past July for the AB-U10, a 10 kg-class interceptor. It was the first time a Korean company had been recognized for an interceptor at the award, and — following the AB-U60 last year — brought the company to three Red Dot awards over the past two years. On the 13th, Airbility was selected for the policy-designated track of the Korea AeroSpace Administration’s Scale-up TIPS program, securing KRW 3 billion in R&D funding over three years to develop a Flying Autonomous AI Interception System (Flying Physical AI) for countering drone swarms.
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[Photo caption] Jinmo Lee, CEO of Airbility (fourth from left), and Brigadier General Manhee Lee, Commandant of the Army Air Defense School (third from right), at a commemorative photo session following the signing of the memorandum of understanding on advancing counter-drone weapon systems, held at the Army Air Defense School. (Photo courtesy of Airbility)