Overview

• South Korea and the UAE have formalized their defense partnership with a memorandum of understanding for regular bilateral Air Force meetings, the first such agreement between South Korea and a Middle Eastern nation.
• South Korea pledged technical and training support to assist the UAE in operating the Cheongung-II air defense system, which the UAE purchased in 2022.
• A letter of intent for expanded cooperation on the KF-21 fighter jet program is set to be signed, with provisions for UAE personnel to observe training and participate in air drills.
• UAE Air Force officials, including Brig. Gen. Azzan Ali Abdulazeez Alsharhan Alnuaimi, are scheduled to engage in KF-21 test flights at Sacheon Air Base to gain operational insights.
• Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to joint training and multinational exercises, with South Korea confirming its participation in Desert Flag 2025 to enhance interoperability.