During a visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), Australian Defense Minister, Richard Marles, met his Korean counterpart Minister of National Defense, Shin Won-sik, and they agreed to expand on the existing Comprehensive Security Partnership between the 2 countries through new bilateral and multilateral agreement.

As reported by the Australian media, the Ministers signed 2 new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) documents: the first was between the armed forces of both countries to strengthen interoperability; the second involved peacetime training and cooperation. In accordance with Minister Marles’ declarations, this initiative is nested into the Australian strategic objective to deepen the network of strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing the collective security and prosperity in the region. For achieving this ambitious goal, the Republic of Korea is a key player and a key ally in the Australian foreign policy.

During the meeting they discussed the several security challenges including the continuing threat posed by North Korea, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Hamas terrorist attack from Gaza on Israeli civilians. The meeting was one of the initiatives linked with ADEX defense technology show, the most important military expo of the country, and noting the current importance of the ROK military industries in the global market, probably the most important in Asia. A defense manufacturing particularly important for Australia considering the new purchasing of the REDBACK Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which will be built by Hanwha at their plant near Geelong, in the Victoria State, and the AS-9 (K-9) HUNTSMAN 155mm self-propelled howitzer, which saw its debut at last Exercise Talisman Sabre, which will be built also in Victoria late next year.

The Australian Defense Minister also met current Korean Minister responsible for DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration), Dong-hwan Eom, and with Hanwa leadership. It is easy to foresee the topics discussed during these last meetings: the Korean Army purchasing of the REDBACK and its configuration, considering that there will be some differences from the Australian version, such as the turret, currently from Israel but a domestic one in the future; cooperation in the area of autonomous platforms, robotics and AI; and also Hanwha Ocean’s submarine work, KF-21 multirole fighter and FA/50 family of trainer/light attack jets being offered for RAAF AIR 6002 project.

(Picture: The meeting between Australian Defense Minister, Richard Marles, and Korean Minister of National Defense, Shin Won-sik.)

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