Wins contract to supply approximately
4,000 training drones to the Republic of Korea Army, accelerating defense UAV
mass production
Strengthens in-house avionics
capabilities and global expansion strategy ahead of planned KOSDAQ listing in
Q2 2027
SEOUL, South Korea, October 30, 2026 — PRENEU, a South Korean unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developer and
manufacturer, has successfully completed a KRW 16.6 billion (approximately USD
12 million) Series D funding round, strengthening its financial foundation for
expanding defense operations and accelerating its entry into global markets.
According to investment banking industry
sources, the funding round was led by Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), with
participation from Korea Investment & Securities, Newmain Capital, MVG
Investment Partners, IBK Capital, Life Asset Management, BNK Securities, K&
Investment Partners, and Triangle Partners.
Earlier this year, PRENEU secured a
contract to supply approximately 4,000 training drones to the Republic of Korea
Army, marking a significant milestone in its transition toward large-scale UAV
production. The achievement follows the military suitability certification
granted last year to its battalion-level multipurpose unmanned helicopter
developed under South Korea's Rapid Demonstration Acquisition Program.
The Series D investment reflects growing
confidence in PRENEU's vertically integrated UAV technologies, expanding
defense business portfolio, manufacturing capabilities, and international
growth potential. As South Korea's drone industry evolves from research and
development toward operational deployment and mass production, PRENEU's
integrated development and manufacturing capabilities have emerged as key
competitive strengths.
Vertically Integrated UAV Technologies: From Complete
Platforms to Core Avionics
Founded in 2017, PRENEU specializes in
the development and manufacturing of unmanned aerial systems, including
complete UAV platforms and core avionics components such as flight controllers
(FC), datalinks, and ground control systems (GCS).
The company maintains a diversified
product portfolio encompassing fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)
aircraft, unmanned helicopters, and multirotor platforms. It also develops the
hardware and software technologies required to integrate these systems into
complete operational solutions.
PRENEU has continued to advance its
capabilities in autonomous flight under GPS-denied conditions, sensor fusion,
situational awareness, and mission execution. By developing its own avionics
systems, the company has reduced its reliance on foreign-sourced critical
components while strengthening technological independence.
This level of technological integration
extends beyond domestic component localization. It enables faster product
customization, seamless system integration, more reliable component supply, and
long-term maintenance support, providing competitive advantages in defense and
public-sector markets where security and supply chain resilience are critical.
Through this approach, PRENEU has
established an integrated business structure covering aircraft design, core
component development, systems integration, manufacturing, and mass production.
Defense Business Gains Momentum with Military Certification
and Large-Scale Supply Contracts
PRENEU's technological capabilities have
increasingly translated into tangible achievements in the defense sector.
Last year, its battalion-level
multipurpose unmanned helicopter, developed under the Rapid Demonstration
Acquisition Program, received military suitability certification, validating
its technical reliability and operational potential in military environments.
This milestone was followed by a major
contract this year to supply commercial training drones to the Republic of
Korea Army, supporting the military's initiative to train 500,000 drone-capable
soldiers.
The contract represents a significant
step in PRENEU's progression from research, development, and demonstration
programs toward large-scale supply and manufacturing operations serving actual
military requirements.
Building on its experience in
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), PRENEU is expanding its
portfolio into military training drones, attack UAVs, and long-endurance
reconnaissance platforms.
By combining mission-specific UAV
platforms with proprietary avionics technologies, the company aims to
strengthen its ability to deliver integrated solutions tailored to diverse
military operational requirements.
PRENEU is also expanding cooperation with
major South Korean defense companies, including Hanwha Aerospace, Korea
Aerospace Industries (KAI), and Poongsan.
These partnerships are expected to create
additional opportunities in joint development and military deployment programs,
extending PRENEU's role beyond standalone UAV supply toward broader integration
within defense systems.
Leveraging Domestic Supply Chains and Manufacturing
Capabilities to Expand Globally
Building on its domestic defense
achievements, PRENEU is accelerating its international expansion.
The company has established business
footholds across Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, while extending its
cooperation network into major defense markets in North America, the Middle
East, and Europe.
As governments and defense organizations
increasingly prioritize supply chain security, cybersecurity, and alternatives
to Chinese-origin components, PRENEU's proprietary avionics technologies and
domestic component supply network have become important differentiators in
international markets.
The company's global strategy is evolving
beyond exports of complete UAV systems to include joint development, component
supply, technology cooperation, and localized manufacturing with overseas
partners.
This diversified approach is designed to
address country-specific defense procurement policies and operational
requirements while establishing sustainable, long-term international business
relationships.
Expanding production capacity remains
another strategic priority.
PRENEU has established a manufacturing
framework utilizing Intops' Gumi production facility in South Korea and is
strengthening its production capabilities to meet growing domestic and
international demand.
As the UAV industry shifts from
low-volume, customized development toward large-scale procurement and sustained
operational support, the ability to secure critical components and maintain
reliable manufacturing capacity is expected to become an increasingly important
factor in global competitiveness.
Revenue Growth Supports Planned KOSDAQ IPO in 2027
PRENEU has maintained strong revenue
growth alongside its technological development and business expansion.
The company's annual revenue increased
from approximately KRW 4 billion in 2022 to KRW 11.3 billion in 2025. For 2026,
PRENEU is targeting more than double the previous year's revenue, supported by
expanding defense contracts and new business opportunities.
Growing defense procurement demand,
international market expansion, and enhanced manufacturing capabilities are
expected to serve as key drivers of future revenue growth.
Following the successful completion of
its Series D funding round, PRENEU is accelerating preparations for an initial
public offering (IPO) on South Korea's KOSDAQ market, targeting the second
quarter of 2027.
The company is currently pursuing the
technology assessment process required for a technology-special listing and
plans to submit its preliminary listing application to the Korea Exchange in
early 2027.
Proceeds from the Series D financing will
be allocated primarily toward next-generation UAV platform development,
manufacturing capacity expansion, and the advancement of core technologies.
Cho Jae-hwan, Chief Financial Officer of
PRENEU, said:
"The new funding will enable us to
accelerate the development of long-endurance, heavy-payload UAV platforms and
attack drones, while expanding our manufacturing facilities to meet growing
market demand. We will also continue investing in core technologies, including
image processing and autonomous flight systems, to strengthen both our product
competitiveness and business scalability."
Looking ahead, PRENEU plans to further
expand its defense supply operations, strengthen international partnerships,
and enhance manufacturing capabilities through its proprietary UAV platforms
and avionics systems, reinforcing its position in the domestic and global
unmanned aircraft markets.
