Partnership to cover task identification, solution development and field verification for defense AI transformation
A cooperative framework has been established to link the Army's data and operational needs with Daejeon's industry-academia-research AI capabilities, supporting defense AI technology development and local defense firms.
The city of Daejeon and the Republic of Korea Army signed an MOU at Daejeon City Hall on Monday to build a defense AI transformation (AX) cooperation framework and support local defense companies.
Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha attended the signing ceremony, where the two sides agreed to pursue three areas of cooperation: expanded industry-academia-research-government-military exchanges on defense AX; collaboration on defense data utilization and technology development by defense firms and research institutions; and joint research, development, task identification, planning and commercialization based on defense AX demand.
In line with its campaign pledge to establish a "defense AX cluster," the city plans to develop the former Daedeok Police Station site in Munpyeong-dong into a key hub supporting AI technology development and field verification for defense companies.
The plan calls for two phases alongside the Army AX Daejeon hub: a first phase to build testing and verification infrastructure in a dedicated test building, and a second phase to remodel the main building to expand comprehensive support functions for defense firms.
The Army AX Daejeon hub — the core pillar of the defense AX cluster — will be established in the public service building on the site. Army Headquarters will operate the hub, while KAIST will handle AI technology development and education, and Hannam University will be responsible for building infrastructure including a data safe zone and AI servers.
The framework will identify cooperative tasks based on the Army's field needs, with companies and research institutions developing AI technologies and solutions using defense data, which the Army will then verify and validate.
Daejeon has maintained ongoing cooperation with the Army and the local defense industry, and the former Daedeok Police Station site was selected as the hub location following active proposals from the Daejeon Defense Industry Business Cooperative and consultations with the Army. The hub is currently being prepared for an opening targeted for late October, pending remodeling work.
Daejeon's recent selection by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as a specialized complex for defense materials, parts and equipment has further strengthened the business support foundation linked to the defense AX cluster. The city plans to connect the specialized complex's work on developing and localizing key components for advanced guided weapons with the defense AX cluster's AI technology development and verification efforts, boosting the technological competitiveness of local defense firms.
"The Army AX Daejeon hub will serve as a platform for innovation, connecting the Army's field needs and defense data with Daejeon's AI research capabilities and the technical expertise of defense companies," Mayor Heo said. "We will organically link the defense materials, parts and equipment specialized complex with the defense AX cluster to build a defense AX ecosystem spanning technology development, verification and commercialization, and will actively support the strengthening of local defense firms' competitiveness."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
