South Korean defense company LIG Nex1 Co. is set to venture into satellite image analysis as it proactively secures satellite detection and identification technologies.

According to defense industry sources on Wednesday, the defense innovation fund, jointly formed by LIG Nex1, the Military Mutual Aid Association, and IBK Capital Corp., recently invested in Korean artificial intelligence (AI) satellite image analysis platform provider Dabeeo Inc., securing an 8.2 percent stake. This marks the fund‘s first investment since it was founded in February 2024.

Dabeeo, an AI-driven geospatial intelligence company founded in 2012, operates the cloud-based platform Eartheye, which provides accurate terrain representation and spatial information by analyzing artificial satellite images, aerial photographs, and map data using deep learning technology. The company was recognized for Eartheye’s technological prowess in the software and mobile apps category at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE, which has been providing satellite imagery since 2018, recently nabbed an official partnership with Dabeeo, further strengthening Dabeeo’s business prospects.

LIG Nex1 anticipates synergies with satellite solution development in the intelligent surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sector via its investment in Dabeeo. The company aims to enhance future capabilities for enemy detection and identification via satellites, leveraging Dabeeo‘s technology to convert images captured by artificial satellites into high-resolution imagery using AI.

LIG Nex1 is currently involved in projects such as the development of the Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite and the Korean Positioning System (KPS), along with the satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mounted on Multi-purpose Utility Satellite No. 6. The ISR sector, which includes the development and production of satellite systems, is a significant portion of LIG Nex1’s business, accounting for 15.5 percent of its revenue in 2023.



“Dabeeo stands as the sole company possessing the technology to precisely detect and identify objects based on images acquired through small low-earth orbit reconnaissance satellites,” LIG Nex1 said, explaining the reason behind their investment.

LIG Nex1 has been actively pursuing investment opportunities as weapon system advance thanks to rapid changes in the battlefield environment, including technologies such as unmanned and manned compound systems and space technology. It acquired U.S. robotics company Ghost Robotics Corp. in 2023.

The company is poised to continue its proactive pursuit of advanced technologies under the leadership of President Shin Ik-hyun, who was appointed as the new representative of the company at the shareholders‘ meeting on Monday. Shin has already identified space technology and unmanned/manned compound systems as future growth drivers.

By Choi Hyun-jae and Chang Iou-chung

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