Middle Eastern Military Delegations Flock to South Korea for Cutting-Edge Defense Tech

Middle Eastern Military Officials Visit South Korea
Interest in Domestic Air Defense Systems and Fighter Jets
Discussing the Development of 6th Generation Fighter Jets

High-ranking military officials from Saudi Arabia and Iraq have reportedly visited South Korea to inspect its domestic weapons systems. Middle Eastern nations are increasingly interested in the country’s air defense systems and fighter jets.

According to the defense industry, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Talal Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi visited Korea on the 13th for a three-day itinerary.

Deputy Defense Minister Al-Otaibi is reported to have inspected the KF-21, a Korean supersonic fighter jet, the Cheongung-Ⅱ (M-SAM 2) ballistic missile interception system, and the Dosan Ahn Changho, a 3,600-tonne (3,968-ton) submarine of the Jangbogo-Ⅲ Batch-Ⅱ. He then visited the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), where it appears discussions were held about co-developing a sixth-generation fighter jet.

Last month, Hanwha Aerospace, which participated in the World Defense Show 2024 (WDS) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, unveiled critical aviation components.

At the time, Saudi Arabia showed significant interest in the F414 engine, known as the heart of the KF21, South Korea’s first fighter jet, as well as the AESA radar, advanced naval equipment, and directional infrared countermeasures, all crucial components of the fighter jet.

Saudi Arabia is thought to be considering introducing Korean weapons. Known as a major player in the international defense industry, it is the world’s second-largest arms importer.

Saudi Arabia purchased 10 units of the Cheongung-Ⅱ, developed by domestic company LIG Nex1, last November and publicly disclosed the contract during a meeting between the defense ministers of Korea and Saudi Arabia.

On the 4th, Karim Abut Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Iraq’s counter-terrorism commander, and Shamir Zaki Hussein Al-Maliki, army aviation commander, visited Korea. They visited Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, where they observed the operation of the Surion, a domestic multipurpose helicopter, and the medium-sized White Eagle helicopter from the Surion series. They even had the opportunity to ride in them.

Mohannad Karib Mohammed, Iraq’s Air Defense Commander, also visited Korea and appears to have discussed the introduction of the Cheongung-II (MSAM-2), a surface-to-air missile.

In 2013, Iraq signed a contract to purchase 24 FA-50 light attack aircraft, known as domestic light attack aircraft. After the Gulf War in the 1990s and 2000s and the subsequent US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi air force was severely damaged. It is speculated that the purchase of new fighter jets is part of the efforts to rebuild it.

The visits by high-ranking defense officials from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, key players in the Middle Eastern weapons market, are seen as the starting point for the export of K-defense projects.

The Surion helicopter, which Iraq showed interest in during this visit, had been mentioned for export to various countries, including Iraq, Indonesia, and Thailand, since the mid-2010s, but it fell through. Recently, as Iraq has been considering the introduction of reconnaissance helicopters to prepare for potential oil pipeline terrorism, there is interest in whether this visit will lead to the first successful export.

On the 17th, Iraq’s Defense Minister personally visited Korea to finalize the list and amount of weapons to be introduced, but the details have not been disclosed.

Industry insiders predict that a Surion export contract will be finalized in the Middle East this year. “There have been no exports of helicopters so far, but if the first contract is successful and the performance is recognized overseas, exports are expected to expand to various countries,” they added.

Last year, Korea signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA, improving the environment for exports to the Middle East. Abolishing tariffs on weapons exports to the Middle East increases price competitiveness and heightens export expectations.

Given the ongoing instability in the Middle East, demand for weapons will continue rising. Additionally, the government is set to support defense exports, thus boosting the defense industry.