Latin American excursion by South Korean officials to enhance weapons sales
Korea and Peru's Arms Industry Bromance Blossoms at SITDEF 2025
Get ready to pop the champagne, y'all! Korea and Peru are taking their arms industry fling to the next level, and it all went down at the SITDEF 2025 arms industry and security exhibition in good ol' Peru. [YONHAP]
Here's the lowdown on what's happening between these two power players:
- K2 Black Panther Tanks: Hyundai Rotem signed a sweet deal with Peru's military production company FAME S.A.C., agreeing to hand over roughly 100 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks. This arrangement also involves local production and potentially dropping some tech knowledge, which means Peru's outdated tank fleet, who mainly jams Soviet-era T-55 tanks, is about to get a major upgrade. [4]
- KF-21 Fighter Jet Talks: Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has been chatting up Peru about the KF-21 fighter jet. During SITDEF 2025, KAI flaunted its military aircraft lineup, including the KF-21, FA-50, and LAH helicopters, turning heads and opening doors for potential negotiations. [2][5]
- Submarine Collab: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Peru's shipyard Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA) teamed up to create a new subs class, based on the HDS-1500 model. The goal? To modernize Peru's navy by replacing old subs with these bad boys! [3]
- Bilateral Agreements: A Korean delegation paid a visit to Peru, sealing MOUs on defense industry cooperation and strengthening their strategic partnership. [1]
And it's not just a one-night stand; this partnership goes way back. Efforts to join forces in the defense sector have been slowly building momentum, with increased diplomatic engagement and participation in exhibitions like SITDEF. [1] Peru's interest in modernizing its military and Korea's goal to diversify defense exports are driving forces behind the collaborative partnership, with SITDEF providing the perfect platform to forge lasting connections. [1]
This partnership is just one part of Korea's grand plan to become a top four global defense exporter by 2027, while also setting its sights on brand new markets – ahem, Latin America. [1]
So, buckle up and grab some popcorn. The defense power couple is only getting started!
Footnotes:1. Korea, Peru sign MOUs on defense industry, minerals at bilateral summit2. Fourth Air Force Unit featuring F-35 Fighters to be deployed to Peru3. South Korea's Shipbuilding Giants Expand Overseas Businesses in Growing Markets4. South Korea to sell more arms to Latin America
- The government-to-government partnership between Korea and Peru extends beyond the arms industry, as evidenced by bilateral agreements signed during a recent summit, focusing on defense industry cooperation and mineral resources.
- The Korean defense industry is showing a strong interest in the Latin American market, with exports and strategic partnerships anticipated to boost Korea's aim to rank among the top four global defense exporters by 2027.
- During SITDEF 2025, Korean companies made significant inroads in the Peruvian industry, presenting military aircraft like the KF-21 and LAH helicopters, and discussing potential collaborations in the fighter jet sector.
- The arms industry collaboration between Korea and Peru is not one-off, but rather a deepening relationship, dating back to Diplomatic engagements and increasing efforts to work together in the defense sector.
- In addition to the arms industry, there is potential for cooperation in other sectors, such as sports and the arts, as both nations look to strengthen their already budding relationship.
