EDGE Group, a leading Emirati technology and defence conglomerate, has signed a co-operation framework with South Korea's Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), during its recent high-level visit to Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral defence partnership between both countries.

The MoU establishes a framework for comprehensive defence industry co-operation, encompassing design, development, training, and maintenance, moving beyond a traditional procurement relationship toward deeper, long-term collaboration, said the Abu Dhabi group in a statement.

Areas of co-operation include integrated air defence systems, advanced aircraft capabilities, and maritime power, with defence co-operation under the framework expected to amount to $35 billion.

The agreement was signed by Faisal Al Bannai, the adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDGE, and Lee Yong Cheol, the Minister of DAPA, in the presence of other senior officials from the UAE and the Republic of Korea.

The visit underscored the enduring strength of the 'Special Strategic Partnership' between the two nations, it added.-TradeArabia News Service