K-Drone Industry Accelerates North American Expansion with Oklahoma Drone Roadshow in the U.S.

By Kyung-nam Kim, Tour Korea

The Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST, President Ho-won Hwang) announced on the 18th that it successfully held a Drone Roadshow in the State of Oklahoma, United States, with participation from U.S. government officials, drone experts, and industry leaders.

The Oklahoma–Korea Drone Roadshow was co-hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of Korea and the Oklahoma State Government, and organized by KIAST and KOTRA (President Kyung-sung Kang).

A total of seven consortiums of Korean drone companies participated, showcasing technologies across autonomous flight control, drone stations, 3D modeling and data, and drone components and materials. Eight selected companies — Pablo Air, Sisthek, Narma, VOLOLAND, BEI, Quaternion, KRM, and Marine Drone Technologies — were chosen through a competitive preliminary evaluation process.

The Roadshow was launched to expand K-Drone technical presence and market opportunities in North America, in response to the ongoing global restructuring of drone supply chains. Participating Korean companies promoted their validated products and technological achievements — proven through demonstration projects led by MOLIT and KIAST — while engaging in industry technology networking and market-entry matchmaking for North America.

KIAST supported the companies’ U.S. market penetration through:

• Exhibition booth operation

• Technical conference presentations

• Export consultation sessions

• Networking meetings

• Visits to U.S. institutions and industry partners

The event generated 56 export consultations totaling approximately USD 15 million. The 22 major aviation, drone, and infrastructure companies and institutions participating as buyers in Oklahoma responded positively, citing K-Drone technology’s strong quality, cost-competitiveness, and market readiness.

Oklahoma serves as a strategic hub for MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) in the United States and is establishing a long-term strategy to build advanced aviation mobility (AAM) infrastructure based on drones and autonomous flight. The state has designated AAM — including drones — as a core future growth industry, and is securing institutional frameworks such as next-generation airspace management systems.

Since 2020, KIAST, in cooperation with MOLIT, has been promoting overseas expansion programs to help Korean drone companies secure global export channels. To strengthen international cooperation, KIAST has hosted drone roadshows and trade missions in the United States and Japan earlier this year, in addition to its exhibition initiatives.

KIAST President Ho-won Hwang stated, “In an era of rapid global change, we will continue to support the strengthening of K-Drone global competitiveness and technological self-reliance through proactive initiatives and close industry collaboration.”

KIAST is a public institution under MOLIT responsible for testing and certifying safety and performance of civil aircraft, airports, air navigation facilities, light and ultralight aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems. The institute also identifies and analyzes aviation safety risks, develops aviation-safety prevention technology, and conducts international standardization research.