Korea eyes long-term defense partnership with Arab nations: defense minister

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik meets with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Khalid bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh, Feb. 4 (local time). Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

Korea is actively pursuing the establishment and strengthening of a long-term defense partnership with a number of Arab countries. This effort comes in response to promising developments following a $3.2 billion export deal with Saudi Arabia, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters for the first time after a trip to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar between Feb. 1 and 7, Shin said he held what he described as "extensive and productive" talks with his counterparts in those Middle Eastern countries, which he hopes would lead to stable partnerships in the area of defense and arms procurement.

“I was able to see the defense ministers and their officials’ trust in the excellence of the Korean defense industry again. The trip helped create an environment for companies in our defense industry to grow there more stably in the long term,” he said.

His press meeting comes after the ministry’s announcement earlier this week that LIG Nex1, a Korean arms maker, inked a $3.2 billion contract in November 2023 to export a mid-range surface-to-air missile defense system called Cheongung M-SAM II to Saudi Arabia, the biggest importer of arms in the region.

The hit-to-kill protection system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft attacks up to an altitude of 15 kilometers at a range of 40 kilometers. It was the company’s second export of the system following a deal with the United Arab Emirates in January 2022.

Shin said the contract with Saudi Arabia is “only the beginning” of many more such deals.

“Other than the M-SAM II deal, I discussed various cooperation projects in the defense area. I cannot disclose the details … But I can tell you that there was meaningful progress during the visit,” Shin said. “We are seeking to establish long-term, win-win relationships, beyond one-time seller-buyer contracts, as we work with them in the defense area.”

Shin, who attended the World Defense Show held in Riyadh on Feb. 4 (local time), met his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Khalid bin Salman Al Saud. At the event, representatives of the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding to further develop partnerships in various areas through a bilateral committee, including joint research and development and production of weapons systems.

Ministry officials, who declined to be named due to the sensitive nature of their positions, said some additional good news from the region could be announced this year.

Korea’s arms exports last year were estimated to have surpassed $13 billion. In close collaboration with the government, the country’s weapons makers aim to carve out a five percent share of the global defense market by 2027 to become the fourth-largest exporter after the United States, Russia and France.