Anduril Expands to Republic of Korea

Today, Anduril announced plans to expand its presence in South Korea opening a new office in Seoul, appointing a new country leader and forming new partnerships with local industry to develop defense products for the Korean market. The expansion coincides with a visit from Anduril’s founder Palmer Luckey, who will meet with key officials and industry leaders as part of a two-day visit to the Republic of Korea.

Anduril is opening its first office in Seoul and has appointed John Kim as Vice President, and Head of Anduril Korea. Kim comes with a deep background and experience with the US Military and Korea’s defense industry. Prior to Anduril, Kim led the defense business and was an interim president of Boeing Korea. The company also plans to expand its team in Korea and will double its headcount in the next 12 months.

Technologies like artificial intelligence, cost-effective autonomous systems, and networked weapons are among the top priorities for the Korean Ministry of Defense and military service components under the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who increasingly recognize that yesterday’s defense systems will not deter nor win tomorrow’s conflicts.

With this expansion Anduril will also be signing a new contract with Korean Air, Aerospace Business Division to co-develop UAS products, license production of additional Anduril products for the Indo-Pacific region, and explore the potential for a manufacturing and production facility in the Republic of Korea. This will establish a mutually cooperative system in the region.

“Anduril is committed to helping the Republic of Korea in its mission to develop a technologically advanced, highly networked armed force with fewer but more precise platforms, leveraging technology like autonomy and artificial intelligence, our new office and team expansion is further demonstration of this ongoing commitment” said John Kim, Vice President and Head of Anduril Korea.

“Korean Air is the leading UAS development company in Korea, and Anduril, which possesses leading AI and manned-unmanned hybrid software technology, will meet the Korean military's drone mission autonomy requirements and mark a new turning point in the global drone market” said officials from Korean Air.

Since its founding in 2017, Anduril now employs more than 6,000 people and is valued at over $30Bn. It has already made a significant impact within the United States Department of Defense, the Australian Defense Force and the UK Ministry of Defense. Anduril’s Korea office will further add to Anduril’s growing Indo-Pacific footprint.