Nearthlab, a leading drone AI company, is making waves in Southeast Asia’s defense market. On September 23, the company stood alongside Korea’s biggest defense players at the 3rd Malaysia-Korea Defense Industry Seminar in Kuala Lumpur, introducing its latest autonomous drone solutions and demonstrating how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of defense. 

The high-profile event, hosted by the Embassy of Korea in Malaysia, brought together more than 150 senior officials and industry leaders, including Malaysia’s Minister of Defense Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Lieutenant General Kwon Dae-won of Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Ambassador Yeo Seung-bae. Alongside established giants like KAI, Hanwha, and LIG Nex1, Nearthlab stood out as the startup reshaping defense innovation with AI-driven autonomy.

At the seminar, Nearthlab introduced KAiDEN and XAiDEN, its next-generation AI-powered defense drones built for the unpredictability of today’s battlefields. Unlike conventional systems, these platforms leverage real-time autonomy to deliver rapid responsiveness and operational flexibility. In regions where dense jungles and volatile geopolitics hinder conventional defense systems, Nearthlab’s drones deliver a decisive advantage in neutralizing emerging threats.

“Modern conflicts demand capabilities that are fast, autonomous, and reliable in unpredictable environments,” said Jay Choi, CEO of Nearthlab. “Our AI defense drones are built to neutralize threats decisively and give nations the technological edge to protect their sovereignty.”

Malaysia’s Minister of Defense Mohamed Khaled Nordin underscored the country’s appetite for cooperation, declaring Malaysia is “ready to actively embrace Korean technology and pursue joint development and production.” This aligns with Nearthlab’s broader strategy: building lasting partnerships and embedding its technology in the region’s defense infrastructure.

The company’s momentum is already accelerating. In May, the company signed an MOU with Malaysia’s aerospace company AIROD, establishing a foundation for deeper cooperation in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). Coupled with ongoing exports to neighboring countries, it is propelling Nearthlab as one of the fastest-growing defense tech players in Southeast Asia.

From winning global recognition for its AI and autonomy to becoming a trusted partner in one of the world’s most dynamic defense markets, Nearthlab is proving that innovation doesn’t just come from giants. It comes from bold startups ready to rewrite the rules.