- South Korea and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation on defense procurement, technology development, and joint production.
- The agreement was signed during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur by DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun and Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
South Korea and Malaysia have signed a new defense cooperation agreement aimed at expanding their collaboration in arms development, procurement, and joint production, according to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Monday in Kuala Lumpur by DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun and Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.
In a statement, DAPA said the MOU sets the framework for the two countries to deepen cooperation beyond weapons sales. The agreement includes efforts to jointly research and develop defense technologies, as well as co-produce military equipment in pursuit of long-term industrial cooperation.
“Going beyond exports of weapons systems, (Korea) will contribute to strengthening Malaysia’s defense capabilities and advancing its arms industry as a ‘genuine partner,’ as well as work for regional peace and stability in Southeast Asia,” Seok was quoted as saying by the agency.
This is not the first defense cooperation between the two countries. In 1993, South Korea signed a deal to supply K200 armored vehicles to Malaysia. More recently, in 2023, Korea’s aerospace sector secured a $920 million contract to deliver 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
The latest MOU also reflects South Korea’s broader ambition to become a global leader in arms exports. According to DAPA, Seoul has now signed defense cooperation agreements with 52 countries, part of a long-term drive to become the world’s fourth-largest weapons exporter.
For Malaysia, this is only the second time the country has signed an MOU on arms cooperation with a foreign nation, underlining the importance Kuala Lumpur places on its defense ties with Seoul.
Last week, the two countries also signed an agreement to mutually recognize the airworthiness certifications of each other’s military aircraft. According to DAPA, it was South Korea’s first such agreement with an Asian country and a step toward closer defense aviation integration.