Changwon, a city in South Gyeongsang Province, announced Monday that it will pursue a "military-specialized drone delivery demonstration" project aimed at providing business opportunities for local small and mid-sized drone companies.
The city expects the project to verify the performance and safety of local firms' drones in the public sector, paving the way for their entry into public markets and new sales channels.
In its first year, the project will conduct a demonstration of a military-specialized drone delivery system. The goal is to eliminate logistics blind spots within military bases and build an advanced military supply support system. Approximately 60 drone industry-related companies are currently based in Changwon. Participating firms will build what the city calls the "best domestically produced secure drone delivery platform" while complying with military security guidelines.
By registering on government procurement platforms, these firms will gain an unrivaled track record that positions them to clear the entry barriers of the defense market, one of the most demanding sectors.
The city projects that the military drone delivery system will maximize defense operational efficiency by reducing supply delivery times to remote areas and enhancing the safety of transport personnel.
Changwon also plans to focus on refining the business model so that the demonstration results translate into increased revenue and job creation for local companies.
Starting with consultations with the Navy Logistics Command in April, the city plans to select participating companies, optimize aircraft and systems, and proceed with full-scale demonstrations.
Changwon and the Navy successfully conducted a demonstration last year in which military supplies were transported by drone over water on an 8-kilometer round trip from a naval base to a nearby island located 4 kilometers away.
"This project goes beyond a simple technology test — it will serve as a decisive stepping stone for local companies to gain a foothold in public and defense markets," said Cho Seong-hwan, director general of the Future Strategic Industries Bureau at Changwon City. "We will provide full support so that local firms can secure competitiveness in drone applications through a successful demonstration."