EDGE, S. Korea’s DAPA Advance Defence Cooperation

EDGE Group has signed a Defence Industry Cooperation Framework with the South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) during a recent high-level visit to Abu Dhabi by South Korea, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral defence partnership between both countries.

The agreement was signed by Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Chairman of EDGE’s Board of Directors Faisal Al Bannai, and DAPA chief Lee Yong Cheol in the presence of other senior officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Republic of Korea. The visit underscored the enduring strength of the “Special Strategic Partnership” between the two nations.

The memorandum of understanding establishes a framework for comprehensive defence industry cooperation, encompassing design, development, training, and maintenance, moving beyond a traditional procurement relationship toward deeper, long-term collaboration. Areas of cooperation include integrated air defence systems, advanced aircraft capabilities, and maritime power, with defence cooperation under the framework expected to amount to approximately US$35 billion.