Riyadh: The head of South Korea's arms procurement agency engaged in discussions with government officials in Saudi Arabia earlier this week to explore bilateral cooperation in the defense sector, officials confirmed on Friday. Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Seok Jong-gun's visit aimed at facilitating South Korean defense firms' involvement in Saudi Arabia's initiatives to bolster its defense capabilities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Seok Jong-gun was in Saudi Arabia from Wednesday to Thursday, where he met with Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, the governor of Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Military Industries. The meeting focused on the Middle Eastern country's efforts to modernize its ground equipment to enhance its defense strength.
During the discussions, Seok emphasized the interest of South Korean defense firms in participating in Saudi Arabia's plans to localize the production of key military equipment. This move aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to expand its domestic defense industry.
Additionally, the DAPA chief engaged in talks with Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari, Saudi Arabia's assistant minister of defense for executive affairs. Their discussions covered potential cooperation in various domains, including ground equipment, warships, fighter jets, air defense, and artificial intelligence, indicating a comprehensive approach to defense collaboration between the two nations.