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South Korea seeks to arm Saudi Arabia amid bid to overtake China as fourth-largest defence exporter
- The potential for weapon sales to Saudi Arabia is huge as it wants foreign help to boost its defence industry, analysts say
- South Korea sees Saudi Arabia’s weapons market as an engine for economic growth but faces stern competition from Chinese suppliers
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South Korea aims to tap Saudi Arabia as a potential key buyer for its weapons, as part of an ambitious target to overtake China as the world’s fourth-largest defence exporter.
The Middle East country is an attractive market for weapons exporters as it is seeking foreign help to build its own defence industry, analysts said.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud and Minister of National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh on Monday to discuss ways to strengthen defence ties, Yoon’s office said on Tuesday. Yoon was on a four-day state visit to Saudi Arabia until Tuesday.
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Khalid said the two countries’ defence industry cooperation was “close to producing results” and would serve as a new milestone in their partnership, according to the Yonhap news agency.
He also expressed hope that such cooperation would advance to the next generation and proposed a comprehensive partnership that includes technological collaboration and joint production.
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