Page 19 - ADT SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 Online Magazine

Seeking New the existent cooperation agreements with ROK

and develop further partnerships with local
companies and Korea's defense ecosystem
in the coming years. IAI is in close and active
Opportunities collaboration with local companies. [ INTERVIEW IAI ]

Could you detail the importance of the
KAI-IAI partnership?
IAI views KAI as an advanced and successful
company in many aspects, with potential for
INTERVIEW: Maxim Zemer, Corporate VP of cooperation in a variety of fields. Recently, IAI
Marketing for South East Asia at IAI signed an MOU with KAI on loitering munitions.
IAI has had a long and fruitful relationship with
KAI, one of Korea’s leading companies, and we
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) seeks to find creative technolog- look forward to exploring future opportunities.
ical solutions for Korea's defence and industrial needs – applying
local collaborations, knowledge transfer, and creative technolog- How is IAI focusing on the UAV market
ical solutions for the country's defence needs. In an exclusive in the region in general and South
interview Maxim Zemer, Corporate VP of Marketing for South Korea in particular?
East Asia at IAI tells Jay Menon that IAI is excited to participate in Building on over four decades of expertise, IAI’s
ADEX 2021 and views the unique opportunity as a bridge to develop Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are a prime
further cooperation agreements and impact the local defence example of the company's state-of-the-art sys-
ecosystem. tems. IAI's commitment to providing the best
UAS to our customers is evident in the systems'
How important is South East Asia for IAI? success globally and IAI's capability to adapt
IAI views the South East Asia region with high potential for strategic the systems to the customer's needs. IAI’s UAS
partnerships, and has a number of local offices in the region in order family ranges from a mini UAS weighing just
to be close to our customers and provide the quickest services. over a few kilograms and with VTOL capabili-
As such, South Korea is one of the most important countries in ties, through tactical UAS providing advanced
the region. IAI seeks to grow on the established close relationship tactical capabilities like the Tactical Heron, all
with South Korea and with local companies by promoting its sys- the way to strategic UAS platforms like the
tems and working closely with local companies through transfer Heron MK II and the HERON TP that weighs
of technology and cooperation. over five tons. Over 50 customers worldwide
rely on IAI’s UAS for their security solutions,
What are the products that IAI is offering to the and each UAS is fitted specifically for every
countries in the region? customer’s needs.
IAI is offering a variety of its state-of-the-art systems of systems,
amongst them the newest Heron UAS, loitering munitions, different IAI’s UAS are able to navigate extremely diverse
radars, advanced accurate guided munitions, EO/IR long range regions and operate in challenging conditions,
devices, and more. IAI seeks to offer its customers and partners
tailor-made systems that suit their security and operational needs.
Could you elaborate on the existing programs and
projects undertaken by IAI in the region?
IAI has been engaging in various activities in the region in order to
connect and work with local companies, especially in South Korea.
Although we are unable to discuss all the projects, amongst the key
interests in the region are IAI’s advanced radars and Heron UAV,
along with the long range EO/IR, have been sold to customers in
the region, and many more systems that we cannot elaborate on.

South Korea has been one of IAI's keen partners.
Could you throw some light on various existing pro-
grams and future projects on the anvil?
Israel and the Republic of Korea share core values and similar
characteristics, and have long-standing partnerships in a variety of
fields, including in the aerospace and defense industries. As such,
the relationship between IAI and ROK is a strategic one based on
the similarities between ROK and Israel, and IAI hopes to build on

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