The UK’s Babcock is expanding its defense industrial cooperation with South Korea’s LIG Defence & Aerospace (LIG D&A), known for producing missiles, air defense systems, and advanced military electronics.
The British defense and aerospace firm maintains an assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Busan, supporting South Korea’s naval programs.
Building on a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2024, the companies inked a Strategic Cooperation Agreement covering LIG D&A’s integration into Babcock’s global supply chain and several other areas of defense collaboration.
Babcock also plans to create an Arrowhead 140 (AH-140) frigate concept, featuring LIG equipment.
The partnership will cover equipment development, including launchers and precision-guided munitions, as well as robotics, autonomy, and uncrewed systems.
The companies will also cooperate on MRO services and through-life upgrades to keep military systems operationally ready.
“Together, the companies offer a credible and compelling proposition for partnership, combining complementary capabilities, deep engineering expertise and global reach to pursue opportunities in key international markets,” said Babcock Chief Growth Officer, Sir Nick Hine.
