How is South Korea Enhancing Defence Ties with Brazil?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strengthened bilateral defence cooperation
- Focus on advanced research and development
- Collaboration in multiple sectors
- Increased involvement of South Korean suppliers
- Embraer's role in the defence landscape
Seoul, Oct 22 (NationPress) On Wednesday, South Korea's state arms procurement agency formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Brazil's defence ministry to strengthen their bilateral ties in the defence industry.
The agreement was executed by Seok Jong-gun, South Korea's minister of the Defence Acquisition Program Administration, and Heraldo Luiz Rodrigues, Brazil's secretary of defence, during a signing event earlier today.
This MOU focuses on enhancing collaboration in research, development, and procurement of defence supplies, while also promoting industrial cooperation and increasing personnel exchanges between the two nations.
Through this agreement, both countries will work together in sectors such as ground, sea, aerospace, and satellite domains, sharing valuable experiences in advanced research and development of defence technology.
Since establishing diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1959, Brazil has become a significant player in both economic and defence sectors, recognized for producing cutting-edge military aircraft and housing one of the world’s leading aerospace companies, Embraer.
Additionally, it was recently revealed that the state arms procurement agency has also signed an MOU with Embraer to further enhance industrial collaboration.
The Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) finalized this agreement during the ongoing Seoul International Aerospace & Defence Exhibition 2025 at KINTEX in Goyang, located just northwest of Seoul.
This MOU will enable both parties to increase the involvement of South Korean parts suppliers in Embraer's global supply chain and investigate opportunities for the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer to engage in defence projects in South Korea.
Since its inception in 1969, Embraer has delivered over 9,000 aircraft globally and has recently expanded its influence in the military aircraft sector with the introduction of its C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, as per DAPA.