South Korea, Australia Sign MOU to Boost Defense and Space Cooperation

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of South Korea recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) to enhance cooperation in the defense and space sectors.

The South Korean arms procurement agency announced today that an agreement was signed on September 11 during Melbourne, Australia's 'Land Forces 2024' exhibition.

'Land Forces 2024' is the largest defense exhibition in Oceania, attracting over 20,000 participants from approximately 810 organizations across 25 countries. The event focuses on showcasing technologies expected to influence future battlefields, including artificial intelligence, space systems, manned and unmanned complex systems, and cyber capabilities.

ASPI, based in Canberra, is a global defense and security think tank, ranked 11th in the defense and security sector by the '2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report'. It is supported by the Australian Department of Defense as well as several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The institute plays a key role in facilitating defense cooperation between Australia and other nations.

The MOU aims to expand defense science and technology collaboration through joint research projects, annual academic events, and the exchange of visiting researchers between South Korea and Australia.

Andrew Holton, Chief Operating Officer of ASPI and signatory to the MOU, highlighted that this agreement lays the foundation for deeper defense cooperation between the two nations. He expressed optimism that continued collaboration, including regular academic events, will contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Jeong Gyu-heon, head of the Space Command and Communications Business Division at DAPA, emphasized that this agreement marks a significant step toward enhancing mutual understanding of the defense acquisition policies of both countries and fostering beneficial industry cooperation. He also noted that the goal is to expand joint research projects and strengthen regular collaboration moving forward.