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Busan Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea Navy, and Defense Acquisition Program Administration to Lead AI Transformation (AX) in Maritime and Naval Vessel Programs

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Korea Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) today (November 6) at 2:00 p.m. to establish a cooperative framework for AI transformation (AX) in maritime and naval vessel programs.

The signing ceremony will take place at the headquarters of the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, which serves as the Navy and Marine Corps Defense AX Hub. The event will be held in conjunction with the hub's opening ceremony and a declaration of the future vision for maritime and defense AI.

Attendees are expected to include Mayor Chun Jae-soo, Chief of Naval Operations Kim Kyung-ryul, Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Ju Il-seok, and Lee Cheong-il, Head of the Busan Regional Office of SMEs and Startups.

The agreement aims to accelerate AI transformation in maritime and naval vessel programs by leveraging real-world maritime and defense environments and data, enhance the competitiveness of related technologies, and establish a sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Through joint research and development involving the private sector, government, and military, the initiative is expected to strengthen the region's AI capabilities in maritime and naval vessel programs, create new markets in maritime and defense AI, and contribute to strengthening advanced maritime defense capabilities for the future.

Under the agreement, Busan Metropolitan City will be responsible for establishing maritime AI infrastructure, including data centers, and fostering an industrial ecosystem. The Republic of Korea Navy will review concepts of system operations for AI technology development and provide environments for technology demonstration. DAPA will promote AI research and development in maritime and naval vessel programs and support the development of the regional defense industry.

Busan Metropolitan City expects the agreement to help establish a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem and expand mutually beneficial cooperation between large enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises by attracting major defense companies and research institutes specializing in naval vessels to the region and facilitating technology exchanges and collaborative projects with local AI companies and universities.

The recent attraction and expansion of research organizations operated by major shipbuilders in the region have increased the availability of quality jobs for local talent. The AI transformation of naval vessel programs and growth in related markets are also expected to create more employment opportunities for young people.

Meanwhile, the advanced shipbuilding industry is a key growth engine for southeastern Korea under the national "Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces" regional development strategy. AI transformation technologies developed for naval vessels are expected to extend into commercial shipbuilding and help improve the efficiency of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations for both commercial and naval vessels.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo stated, "This agreement will mark an important milestone in revitalizing the region's growth engines and advancing maritime defense through cooperation among the private sector, government, and military."

He added, "As we enter the full-fledged era of Arctic shipping routes, strengthening maritime security is becoming increasingly important. We will make every effort to secure sovereign AI transformation capabilities that can support stronger maritime security and foster the growth of the related industrial ecosystem."