The Egyptian army concluded a military deal with South Korea’s Hanwha Defense company, the military said Wednesday.
The office of President Moon Jae-in in Seoul said in a statement that a $1.6 billion arms deal to provide K9 self-propelled howitzers to Egypt is the country’s biggest export contract for the weapon.
The scope of the agreement includes the transfer of technologies, as well as local manufacturing of K9s in Egypt.
In this context, Egypt and South Korea signed on Wednesday two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in the field of military cooperation.
Mohamed Zaki, commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and minister of defense and military production, and Kang Eun-ho, head of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), attended the signing ceremony.
Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant-General Ahmed Khaled signed the two MoUs, said a statement by the military spokesman.
The first memorandum covers defense industries and logistical support, and the second covers organizing cooperation in defense research and development to coordinate and exchange military expertise between the two countries.
Zaki conveyed President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s greetings to the attendees.
He pointed out that the Armed Forces’ General Command considers the military industry and the development of armament systems among the major components of the army’s military power.
“The General Command is keen to keep pace with the development of global armament systems to maintain its status among world armies with its military strength, trained human capacities, and advanced armament, which enable it to fulfill its responsibilities and historical tasks in preserving the homeland security.”
Kang Eun-ho, for his part, said he is pleased with the military cooperation with Egypt, being a “major regional power,” and said he looks forward to further joint military cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
Last week, the US State Department approved $2.56 billion in two major military equipment sales to Egypt of transport aircraft and radar systems.
