South Korea and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance defense cooperation, aiming to solidify their strategic partnership. The agreement involves the establishment of a joint committee to form a working group for research, development, and production of weapons systems.
The signing took place during Defense Minister Shin Won-sik’s visit to Riyadh for the World Defense Show, part of a broader Middle East trip. South Korea aspires to increase arms sales and become a prominent global weapons supplier, with arms sales reaching $17 billion in 2022. Bilateral military cooperation talks included discussions with Saudi Arabia’s National Guard Minister Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud.
South Korean companies, such as Hanwha, Poongsan, and LIG Nex1, have previously secured deals with Saudi Arabia worth approximately $989 million for rocket launchers, ammunition, and electro-optical systems.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies highlighted Seoul’s potential to offer technologically advanced equipment at competitive prices, meeting the Gulf states’ need for diversified defense procurement sources beyond traditional Western suppliers.
