Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 11th that it secured 37.04% equity in the small drone specialist corporation D-Brain on the 10th, making it the second-largest shareholder. With this investment collaboration, KAI plans to acquire core technology and platforms for small drones.
Founded in 2013, D-Brain is a company that has strengths in lightweight avionics equipment, including flight control and the Operational Flight Program (OFP), based on its experience in developing division-level drones and agricultural unmanned helicopters. In 2023, it was selected in the drone sector of the 'Top 100 Defense Innovation Companies' based on its differentiated flight control technology.
A KAI official noted, "The drone to be developed in collaboration with D-Brain will be a differentiated small drone compared to existing medium and large drones, and it is expected to significantly contribute not only to expanding the military's operational scope and tactical diversity but also to the development of the civilian drone industry."
According to global market research firm Fortune Business Insights, the global market size for small drones is projected to grow rapidly from $16.07 billion (approximately 22.689 trillion won) in 2024 to $47.16 billion (approximately 64.7648 trillion won) by 2032. The President's Defense Innovation Committee also announced last May plans to double the small drone capabilities by 2026.