South Korea, Australia deepen defense cooperation amid regional concerns
Felix Kim
Two countries representing the Indo-Pacific’s fourth- and fifth-largest economies, with correspondingly ranked defense budgets, have deepened their defense ties in recent months.
Between August and November 2021, South Korea and Australia engaged in two ministerial-level defense meetings, signed a logistics agreement, participated in a major military exercise and moved forward with significant defense industry collaboration. Seoul and Canberra say the strengthened partnership comes as they share growing concerns.
“Let’s deepen cooperation with the defense ministries of both countries and each military,” South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook said at the conclusion of his November 2, 2021, meeting with Australian Army Chief Lt. Gen. Rick Burr in Seoul.
South Korean defense industry giant Hanwha Defense will sign a contract “as the sole negotiation target” for Australia’s self-propelled artillery project, Suh said, according to a South Korean Ministry of National Defense news release. Hanwha will supply the Australian Army with 30 of the 155 mm, 52-caliber K9 Huntsman howitzer and 15 of the K10 armored ammunition resupply vehicle under the agreement, and will incorporate the assets with command, control, communication and computer technologies.
Suh also referenced his September 2021 meeting in Seoul with Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton, which covered a host of defense collaboration topics and was part of the Australia-South Korea Foreign and Defence Ministers’ 2+2 Meeting.
At the meeting, the governments announced a memorandum of understanding on mutual logistics support and cooperation, which promises to pave the way for increased logistical exchanges, as well as reciprocal logistics assistance during joint training and exercises.
The announcement followed South Korea’s inaugural participation in Talisman Sabre, held from late June to mid-August 2021. For the multilateral exercise, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy deployed the destroyer ROKS Wang Geon, pictured, to join a maritime warfare scenario involving about 20 ships and 60 aircraft, Australia’s Department of Defence reported. Talisman Sabre, which is Australia’s largest defense exercise with the United States, has been held biennially since 2005.
In their statement, Suh and Dutton recognized progress on defense industry cooperation, including the reopening of the Joint Defence Industry and Materiel Committee, which will allow the governments to use the capabilities of each other’s defense industrial base to better address security issues.
The defense ministers also announced the Trilateral Framework on Defense Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation. The framework, which also includes the U.S., is expected to bolster collaboration in defense science and technology, including engagement with other allies and partners.
The efforts to enhance defense cooperation come at a time of increasing uncertainty in the strategic environment, Suh and Dutton said. Only Australia and the U.S. hold 2+2 ministerial meetings with South Korea, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, adding that Canberra and Seoul regard the U.S.’s continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific as critical to the region’s stability and prosperity.
Felix Kim is a FORUM contributor reporting from Seoul, South Korea.
IMAGE CREDIT: 3RD OFFICER BRANDON FEINBERG/U.S. NAVY
