Saudi Arabia, South Korean Sign Deal in Industries, Military Technologies

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, South Korean Sign Deal in Industries, Military Technologies

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)

Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmed al-Ohali has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea's Defense Procurement Program Minister Wang Jong-hong to develop a general framework for cooperation in military acquisitions, industries, research, and military technologies.

The agreement was signed during the two-day official visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to South Korea earlier this week.

The deal was signed during a ceremony held at the Presidential Blue Palace in Seoul in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed and President Moon Jae-in, and members of the official Saudi delegation and senior officials of the South Korean government.

Ohali said that the signing of this memorandum comes within the framework of strengthening industrial and defense partnerships between Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

The deal will contribute to the development of military acquisition capabilities, including the acquisition mechanism, the development of military industries, the development of specifications and standards for military products and the requirements of manufacturers' qualification and control, as well as the examination, evaluation and acceptance of military products, research and development and technology in the military field, he added.

The signing of this memorandum serves efforts of GAMI in localizing the industry and the sustainability of the qualitative military systems, according to Saudi Vision 2030 objectives and the Kingdom's endeavor to develop the military industries sector.

GAMI seeks to localize military industries in Saudi Arabia and achieve the national priorities of raising military readiness, enhance strategic independence, promote joint operation between the security and military authorities, develop a sustainable domestic military industries sector and increase transparency and spending efficiency.



Trump Arrives in Qatar after Historic Riyadh Visit

US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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Trump Arrives in Qatar after Historic Riyadh Visit

US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump arrived in Doha on Wednesday on the second leg of his Gulf tour that he started in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

He was welcomed upon his arrival by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Meeting later at the Royal Palace in Doha, Trump and Sheikh Tamim signed economic and defense agreements.

The first had Qatar buying airplanes from Boeing, the American aerospace company whose chief executive attended the event. Trump said it was the largest order of jets in the company history, worth over $200 billion.

Next up was a defense deal and the purchase of military drones.

The final cooperation agreement was signed by Trump and Al Thani themselves.

Before departing to Doha, Trump sat down for a historic meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh.

Trump said the rapprochement with Syria came at the urging of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“There is a new government that will hopefully succeed,” said Trump, who announced he'll move to lift sanctions on Syria to give the country “a chance at peace.”