Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia and South Korea have signed a government quality assurance agreement to strengthen defense cooperation and boost their military capabilities and long-term industrial development. 

The deal, signed on Feb. 18 during the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, underscores growing ties between the two nations in defense and technology. 

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries signed the deal with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration in the presence of GAMI Gov. Ahmad bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali and Korea’s Defense Minister Seok Jong-gun. 

The deal is part of an ongoing effort by both nations to bolster their respective defense industries, with an emphasis on mutual national interests. It also signals a commitment to expanding cooperation in the field of defense products and services, including the exchange of best practices and expertise. 

In a post on his X account, Al-Ohali said: “Today, as part of the Saudi pavilion’s participation in the International Defense Exhibition and Conference, I met with His Excellency the Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration of Korea, Seok Jong-gun, where we signed a cooperation agreement in the field of government quality assurance stemming from the basic agreement signed with the Korean side in 2019.” 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2019 visit to South Korea led to the signing of an MoU aimed at strengthening defense and industrial partnerships, focusing on military acquisitions, research, and technology. 

Since then, defense ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea have grown through several agreements.  

In February 2024, their defense ministers discussed closer collaboration, and at the World Defense Show, they signed an MoU to establish a joint committee for weapons research and development.  

This was followed by a $3.2 billion deal in September, with South Korea’s LIG Nex1 agreeing to supply Saudi Arabia with mid-range surface-to-air missile systems. 

On the sidelines of IDEX 2025, Al-Ohali also visited the Turkish pavilion, where he met with Haluk Gorgun, president of Turkiye’s defense industry agency. “We discussed the most important developments in cooperation and joint programs between the two countries in the military industries sector.” Al-Ohali said in another X post. 

The Saudi pavilion at IDEX 2025 highlights the Kingdom’s growing defense capabilities, showcasing locally developed technologies and emphasizing investment opportunities in the military, defense, and security sectors.