South Korea does not have enough soldiers, so it is purchasing robots
The US is significantly accelerating the production of air defense interceptors. The UAE presents a 'DIY' style drone. Korea has granted a local corporation a contract for the mass production of unmanned robots. And the fund that will invest millions in Israeli defense-tech companies.
The field of unmanned systems in the defense sector is breaking creativity records, as the UAE learns from an American 'DIY' system for building an aircraft how to create a useful drone, and in South Korea, robots are being used to replace the dwindling manpower in the army. All this and more in the weekly defense industries corner of Globes.
The UAE presents: A drone based on a 'DIY' kit
The UAE, like most countries in the world, aspires to increase its security independence, and within this framework, the main activity is carried out in the local conglomerate Edge. The corporation dominates many areas in the defense sector, and now they have unveiled the Jarnes-M drone, designed to provide reliable and consistent surveillance in the airspace. However, an analysis performed by the Defense Blog website on the fuselage indicates that it is based on a 'Velocity' model aircraft fuselage.
This is an aircraft manufactured by a company from Florida, which markets components to private pilots for building aircraft themselves, instead of purchasing a ready-made plane. Jarnes is an aircraft with a canard configuration, which includes a horizontal aerodynamic surface at the front of the aircraft before the wing. The Emirati drone is so identical to the 'Velocity' that even the shape of the canopy and the location of the landing gear are identical.
Edge made headlines in Israel with its decision to purchase 30% of the holdings in the Israeli defense company Third Eye. The deal was signed last January and includes an investment by Edge of about 10 million dollars. Thus, the Emirati company became the largest shareholder in Third Eye, which develops artificial intelligence-based electro-optical systems.
The US is significantly accelerating the production of air defense interceptors
One of the main reasons for concern in the US regarding a renewed escalation with Iran is the dwindling stock of interceptors. Consequently, the Department of Defense has launched framework agreements with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, intended to significantly accelerate the production rate of interceptors for Patriot and THAAD systems.
The shortage of Patriot is affected both by the war in Ukraine and by the prolonged fighting in the Middle East, while in the case of THAAD, the main problem is due to the system against Iran. A study recently conducted by the CSIS research institute found that the stock of American Patriot interceptors dropped from the outbreak of Operation Lion's Roar at the end of February from 2,330 to 1,030 at the ceasefire (April 8), and as of July 27, it dropped further to about 759-827 units. At the same time, the stock of THAAD interceptors dropped from 452 to about 234-278 today.
Therefore, the US Department of Defense wants to triple the production rate of Patriot interceptors, while increasing the rate of THAAD interceptors fourfold. Washington is working with component suppliers, in an attempt to increase the work rate from the beginning of the production chain.
South Korea is creating an army of robots
Unmanned means on the battlefield have long since ceased to be limited to unmanned aerial vehicles. Unmanned ground vehicles, naval vessels, and unmanned underwater vehicles have also become an integral part of the modern battlefield. In light of this, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration has decided to grant the local Hanwha corporation its first contract for the mass production of unmanned robots. GlobalData estimates that the move is influenced by a shrinking supply of young men willing to be drafted.
Consequently, the unmanned vehicle Arion-SMET is expected to begin entering service in the South Korean army as early as next year, as part of the local defense modernization process known as Army Tiger 4.0. Seoul's data indicates that the army's manpower has shrunk from about 560,000 people in 2019 to about 450,000 in 2025, a product of the low birth rate in the country. GlobalData estimates that for backup, robot purchases totaling about 140 million dollars will be required by 2036.
Arion-SMET includes autonomous and robotic systems that allow for intelligence gathering and carrying equipment. The large model from the series has full electric propulsion, weighs about 2 tons, travels on six wheels, and has a maximum carrying capacity of about 550 kg, for a range of up to 100 km on a single charge.
An investment of 2 million dollars in Israeli defense-tech companies
The investment fund Caveret Ventures, which specializes in investments in defense-tech and dual-use companies, will launch a new investment program in the coming days in the amount of 2 million dollars, within which it will invest in about 8-10 Israeli companies at early stages. The move is intended to locate companies with deep-tech technology and a proven operational need.
Menachem Landau, managing partner at Caveret and former head of the UAV and drone branch in the R&D unit at MAFAT, stated:
«As a veteran defense investment fund, specializing in the worlds of robotics and AI, we are identifying an exceptional wave of new defense entrepreneurship in Israel. Our goal is to assist in building the next generation of defense-tech companies through experience, connections, and deep familiarity with the security establishment and the industry.»
