UAE, South Korea sign $35 billion defense cooperation MOU

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UAE, South Korea sign $35 billion defense cooperation MOU

February 26, 2026

SEOUL,— South Korea and the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen defense cooperation through projects potentially worth more than $35 billion, a senior South Korean official said.

Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to President Lee Jae Myung, spoke to reporters at Incheon International Airport after returning from a three-day visit to the UAE.

He said the two nations plan to collaborate on a wide range of defense projects, including air defense systems, naval programs, and air force operations. Kang traveled as President Lee’s special envoy for strategic economic cooperation.

The partnership covers total joint initiatives valued at more than $65 billion. Of that amount, $35 billion is dedicated to defense industry cooperation, while another $30 billion is aimed at broader investment and strategic economic projects, Kang said, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

To move the plans forward, the two countries agreed to establish sector-specific working groups. These groups will focus on areas such as nuclear power, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, and cultural projects. The purpose is to produce measurable results in time for the next bilateral summit between the two nations.

Kang emphasized that South Korea and the UAE intend to go beyond a traditional buyer-seller relationship in arms deals. The countries aim to cooperate across the entire defense industry lifecycle, including design, development, training, maintenance, and repair.

As part of this effort, both sides signed a defense industry cooperation framework memorandum of understanding outlining the guiding principles of their collaboration.

The South Korean official said the government would pursue the MOU diligently to ensure it leads to final contracts that serve the national interests of both countries.

In addition to defense, the UAE plans to revise its $30 billion investment commitments to focus on key strategic areas, including defense, AI, nuclear energy, and culture.

The initiative is intended to guarantee practical implementation of UAE investments in South Korea, support South Korean companies entering the UAE market, and encourage joint expansion into third-country markets.

Kang said that once detailed terms are coordinated, the two nations will sign a new bilateral investment cooperation MOU at the next summit. This step is expected to formalize the updated investment and strategic partnership between the countries.

(With files from Korea JoongAng Daily | Reuters)