South Korea, Saudi Arabia Sign MoU on Mutual Quality Guarantee for Exported Arms

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia on a mutual quality guarantee program for exported arms, aiming to increase bilateral defense trade.

The MoU will pave the way for the export of Korean arms to Riyadh and vice versa. While Seoul is looking to expand its arms sales to the Middle East (ME), Saudi Arabia is wanting to become an arms manufacturing and service hub in the Middle East and North Africa region through the government-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). 

The agreement was signed after DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun held discussions with defense and military officials during a recent visit the Middle East to promote Korean arms exports. In the U.A.E., Seok met with senior officials, including Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, to explore participation in Abu Dhabi's arms procurement projects.

At the IDEX 2025 defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Seok engaged with officials from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Romania, and Estonia before signing the MoU with Saudi Arabia.

In Egypt, Seok promoted Korean defense products, including the FA-50 fighter jet and K9 self-propelled howitzer, while pledging full support if the Egyptian Air Force proceeds with an FA-50 acquisition.

South Korea plans to secure 5% of the global arms export market by 2027 to become the fourth-largest defense exporter.