JBNU Defense Industry Research Institute (Director Jeon Gwang‑ho) and Air Force Missile Defense Command (Commander Lee Seung‑yong, Major General) have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the advancement of future defense science and technology and to strengthen air and missile defense capabilities.

The agreement was pursued to proactively respond to increasingly sophisticated missile threats, a rapidly changing security environment, and demands for defense innovation based on advanced science and technology. The parties agreed to link the operational expertise of air and missile defense units with the research capabilities of a national university research institution to strengthen collaboration in defense science and technology R&D and in the training of specialized personnel.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will pursue research and development in defense science and technology, air and missile defense, and the aerospace and defense industry. They will also cooperate on the training of specialized personnel for the defense and defense-industry sectors and on curriculum development and education and training support. Joint use of academic information and educational and research materials, co-hosting academic conferences, seminars, and forums, personnel exchanges among members, and expert lectures will also be promoted.

They will additionally identify and carry out joint research projects on defense and defense-industry policy, advanced technologies, and the development of air and missile defense operations. They plan to create practical cooperation models that translate operational needs into research and education.

As their first joint initiative, they will hold the "2026 Air and Missile Defense Forum" this October. The forum will discuss recent changes in missile threat patterns, directions for the development of air and missile defense systems, and ways to apply advanced science and technology to the defense sector. The two organizations plan to use this as a starting point to progressively expand cooperation to include joint research project development, expert exchanges, and support for education and training.

JBNU is currently pursuing an agreement with the Air Force Headquarters. Once concluded, the agreement is expected to expand cooperation into education and research, advanced science and technology, the aerospace and defense industry, and the training of specialized personnel.

In particular, JBNU plans to establish an Industry–University Collaboration hub for defense and the defense industry that connects the Air Force Headquarters, operational units, universities and research institutes, and defense companies, alongside cooperation in Purdue University’s online Master’s program in Defense Acquisition. The plan is to link R&D and talent development that respond to field demands in the defense sector based on JBNU’s educational and research capabilities.

Commander Lee Seung‑yong of the Air Force Missile Defense Command said, "To respond to increasingly sophisticated missile threats, the development of operations based on advanced technology and securing excellent specialized personnel are of utmost importance. Through this agreement, we will strive to link the university's outstanding research capabilities with operational units and to produce tangible cooperative outcomes."

Jeon Gwang‑ho, Director of the JBNU Defense Industry Research Institute, said, "This agreement is an important starting point where the university's research capabilities and the operational expertise of field units meet to train the personnel who will lead future defense innovation. We will work closely with the Air Force Missile Defense Command to grow into a hub for education, research, and Industry–University Collaboration in air and missile defense and the aerospace and defense sectors."