Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik met with Minister of the National Guard Abdulla bin Bandar Al Saud and Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman Al Saud

Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense signed a long-term MOU

Agreed to form a joint committee to conduct collaborative research on weapon systems

Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration Eom Dong-hwan (first left) and Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi (first right) sign an MOU on defense industry cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia in the presence of Defense Minister Shin Won Sik (left center) and Saudi Arabian Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman Al Saud (right center), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 4 (local time).

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik, who was on a three-nation visit to the Middle East, discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation and exchanges with the Saudi Arabian defense minister and National Guard minister. Both countries agreed to establish a joint committee to further develop cooperation in the defense industry and defense technology.

The Defense Ministry announced on February 5 that Minister Shin had a meeting with Minister of the National Guard Abdulla bin Bandar Al Saud at Saudi Arabia’s National Guard Ministry on February 4 (local time). The two ministers agreed to strengthen defense cooperation, such as personnel exchanges and joint training between the two institutions, as well as defense cooperation to contribute to the security of both countries and peace in the international community, and to accelerate partnership in the defense industry sector.

Saudi Arabia’s ministries related to security include the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of National Guard, and Ministry of Interior, and this is the first meeting between the Korean defense minister and Saudi Arabian National Guard minister.

Minister Shin visited the sites of World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia and met with Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman Al Saud. In addition, Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry signed an MOU on long-term defense industry cooperation in the presence of both ministers, consolidating a foundation for defense industry cooperation.

Based on the signed MOU, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense will continue cooperation by forming a joint committee to further develop a long-term bilateral defense industry and defense technology cooperation, and by organizing a working-level group in areas necessary for the joint development and production of weapon systems.

Minister Shin said that the signing of the MOU on long-term defense industry cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia “laid the foundation for defense industry cooperation in line with a forward-looking strategic partnership.”

Defense Minister Khalid responded by saying that Saudi Arabia and South Korea, as true partners, will strengthen defense and defense industry cooperation.

Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration Eom Dong-hwan said, “The signing of this MOU is expected to provide an opportunity to consolidate a future-oriented bilateral partnership and solidify substantial defense industry cooperation by contributing to a mutually beneficial friendship.”

On the following day, February 5, Minister Shin visited the Korea exhibition site of the World Defense Show and encouraged officials dedicated to promoting defense industry exports.

The World Defense Show is the largest international defense exhibition in the Middle East and attracted about 900 defense companies from 45 countries, including 110 government representatives from 50 countries, this year.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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