K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, '2 Trillion Won' Egypt Export Success... Moon's Summit Diplomacy Effective

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House announced on the 1st that a contract for the export of K9 self-propelled howitzers to Egypt has been signed. This is the result of long-term negotiations over the past decade, with President Moon Jae-in’s focused discussions with the Egyptian president during last month’s state visit playing a crucial role in finalizing the deal.

According to the Blue House, Hanwha Defense signed the K9 self-propelled howitzer export contract with the Egyptian Ministry of National Defense at the Artillery Hall, attended by key officials from both countries.

At the same event, the signing ceremony for the "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Korea-Egypt Defense Research and Development Cooperation" was also held, with Defense Acquisition Program Administration Chief Kang Eun-ho and the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Defense signing the agreement.

This export marks the first shipment to the African region and represents the largest-scale export of K9 self-propelled howitzers, with a total contract value exceeding 2 trillion won. Additionally, Egypt became the ninth country, including South Korea, to operate the K9 self-propelled howitzer.

Hanwha Defense and the Egyptian Ministry of National Defense have conducted negotiations for over ten years for this export contract. Last month, during President Moon’s official visit to Egypt, intensive discussions between President Moon and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi paved the way for the finalization of the negotiations.

Although the contract was not signed during President Moon’s visit (January 19?21), some members of the company and government delegations remained after the president’s return to continue negotiations.

The South Korean government also provided multifaceted support for the negotiations. Since last year, the National Security Office has acted as the control tower, and active support efforts have been made through intergovernmental collaboration. Defense Minister Suh Wook visited Egypt in August last year, met with President el-Sisi, and explained the excellence of the K9 self-propelled howitzer.

Various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Cultural Heritage Administration, Rural Development Administration, and Export-Import Bank, expanded cooperative projects, while the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Egypt actively supported the negotiations by closely sharing information with government agencies and related companies of both countries.

The Blue House stated, "Despite the short visit, President Moon engaged in in-depth discussions with the Egyptian president on defense industry cooperation," adding, "Through this process, deep trust between the two leaders and a strong will for future-oriented development and cooperation in Korea-Egypt relations were formed."

It was further noted that President Moon’s direct explanation of the superiority of Korean-made weapon systems to the Egyptian president and his persuasion to make the final selection were instrumental in the outcome.

The Blue House forecasted, "The trust relationship between the two heads of state will positively influence the continuous expansion of cooperation in defense and defense industry sectors beyond the K9 self-propelled howitzer in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.