Riding on KF-21 jet success, South Korea chases US$15 billion UAE arms deal
Seoul showcased the fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, aiming to boost Middle East defence ties and global export ambitions
Following the meeting, Lee’s office said the two countries agreed to pursue a model of joint development, local production and exports to third countries for defence cooperation.
“The establishment of this comprehensive value chain will raise the chances of our defence firms securing deals worth more than US$15 billion,” Lee’s chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, told reporters after the meeting.
While Kang did not elaborate on the potential deal, the UAE has expressed interest in the KF-21. In April, UAE Air Force officials toured KAI’s manufacturing facilities, and one commander even joined a test flight of the jet’s prototype.
The UAE previously pursued a purchase of US F-35s but suspended negotiations in 2021 after Washington demanded that it remove Huawei Technologies’ equipment from its telecommunications network and take other steps to limit ties with China.
