LIG Defence & Aerospace (LIG D&A) has established its first U.S. subsidiary, launching a full-scale expansion of its footprint in the American market. The company plans to use the subsidiary as a springboard for wide-ranging activities to enter the world's largest and most advanced defense market, including building partnerships and pursuing technology exchanges in the United States.
LIG D&A announced Monday that it has newly established a U.S. subsidiary named LIG Defense U.S. Inc. (LIG U.S.). Kim Yong-seob, head of LIG D&A's U.S. office, will serve as the inaugural CEO of LIG U.S. The company also hired Rich Brown, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral who served as commander of Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as senior advisor to LIG U.S. Brown is considered well suited for strengthening cooperation with the U.S. Navy and expanding business operations, given his career overseeing fleet operations and leading improvements in surface force combat readiness.
LIG D&A has been strengthening its global network by operating local offices in major countries including those in Europe as well as Colombia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Malaysia. The establishment of its first overseas subsidiary in the United States since the company's name change is expected to add further momentum to its overseas business pursuits.
"The establishment of a U.S. subsidiary is an expression of the efforts LIG D&A has made and the commitment it will continue to demonstrate to position itself as a true partner in the American defense industry," CEO Shin Ik-hyun said. "We will do our best to fulfill our role as a bridgehead for Korea-U.S. defense cooperation."