SEOUL, May 22 – South Korea’s Defence Minister Lee Jong Sup will embark on a four-day trip to Malaysia on Monday for talks on arms industry cooperation and attend a contract signing ceremony for Seoul’s export of FA-50 light attack aircraft to the country.
During the visit, Lee will meet with his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss defence cooperation as he attends the 2023 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA’23), Yonhap news agency reported, citing the ministry.
The five-day exhibition, which begins Tuesday, brings together some 600 defence companies from over 30 countries and is expected to be attended by defence chiefs from seven other countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, it said.
On Tuesday, Lee will attend a final contract signing ceremony for the export deal and express South Korea’s willingness to strengthen bilateral arms industry ties with Malaysia, it added.
In February, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd, South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, won a deal from Malaysia to supply 18 FA-50 aircraft.
During the exhibition, the South Korean Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team will perform in an air show, while the Navy’s Nojeokbong landing ship will be on display.
– Bernama
