Pocheon, a city in Gyeonggi Province, is joining forces with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to develop 3D printer-based drone production technology. The city, which is accelerating its defense industry promotion efforts, aims to emerge as a hub for advanced defense technology through cooperation with Korea's top research institution.
Pocheon City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday with KAIST's Defense Industry Specialized Development Research Institute and the Smart Additive Manufacturing Research Division of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers for "3D Printer-Based Drone Production Technology Development and Talent Cultivation."
The core of the agreement is establishing a drone production base utilizing additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology. Additive manufacturing, which creates parts by stacking materials layer by layer, is drawing attention in the defense sector for its ability to rapidly produce defense components with complex shapes.
The three institutions will apply this technology to the drone industry to enhance production efficiency and jointly pursue the identification and planning of defense projects.
KAIST's Defense Industry Specialized Development Research Institute leads defense industry technology research and defense innovation. It will play a key role in drone development and demonstration projects based on advanced technologies. The Smart Additive Manufacturing Research Division of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers is expected to contribute to upgrading defense components using 3D printing technology.
Talent cultivation will be pursued in parallel. Starting in the second half of this year, a "full-cycle integrated education program" will be offered to local students and citizens. The initiative is the first of its kind in the country, extending beyond basic piloting instruction to cover design, manufacturing, and operation. Civilian-government-military linked education is also included.
Ahead of the agreement, Pocheon City laid the institutional groundwork. The city passed the "Pocheon City Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of the Defense Industry" and opened the Gyeonggi Defense Venture Center to expand its base for attracting defense companies.
"We plan to establish a training facility and production base at Gyeonggi Daejin Technopark in the second half of the year," a Pocheon City official said. "Through cooperation with KAIST, we will provide special educational opportunities to local students and citizens."
