The Ministry of National Defense said on the 10th that Minister Ahn Gyu-baek held talks on the 9th (local time) with Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia (Saudi) Minister of the National Guard.
In his second meeting with Minister Abdullah after last year, Minister Ahn emphasized the partnership between Korea and Saudi Arabia. He then agreed to develop mutually beneficial defense and defense industry cooperation.
Minister Abdullah said the two sides should strengthen defense cooperation beyond personnel exchanges, military education and medical support, and expand cooperation in the defense industry sector.
Minister Ahn met with domestic small and midsize enterprises participating in the World Defense Show (WDS 2026) in Saudi Arabia.
Domestic corporations asked Minister Ahn for active government support to expand defense exports, assistance for small and midsize enterprises to enter overseas markets, and improvements to systems to boost exports.
The Ministry of National Defense promised to strengthen government-level publicity, prepare national support measures, and support defense exports.
Minister Ahn said, "We will build a defense industry ecosystem in which small and midsize enterprises and large corporations can grow together, and continue policies and support that can be felt in the field."