UAE Vice Minister of Defense Boards KF-21 for Friendship Flight with Air Force Chief in FA-50

Vice Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting Held on the 6th
"Deepening Cooperation in Defense and Defense Industry"

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice Minister of Defense will board a prototype of the KF-21 Boramae and participate in a friendship flight with Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Youngsu, who will be flying in an FA-50.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on August 6, Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi, the UAE Vice Minister of Defense, is scheduled to visit the Air Force Sacheon Base on August 7. He will board the KF-21 prototype and experience the excellence of the domestically produced aircraft by participating in a friendship flight with Chief Lee.

Prior to this, on the previous day, Vice Minister Al Alawi paid a courtesy call on Defense Minister Ahn Kyubaek. On the morning of August 6, he also held the 13th Korea-UAE Vice Ministerial Steering Committee meeting with Vice Minister of Defense Lee Doohee. During the meeting, the two vice ministers exchanged views on major issues, including the security situation in both countries. Vice Minister Al Alawi emphasized that he would support dialogue, diplomacy, and a peaceful approach regarding South Korea's policy toward North Korea aimed at establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The two vice ministers also highly evaluated the achievements of defense exchange and cooperation between Korea and the UAE. They agreed to further develop cooperation in the defense and defense industry sectors in a future-oriented manner, in line with the "special strategic partnership."

In the defense sector, they agreed to further expand cooperation in future-oriented areas such as information, cyber, and AI. They also decided to develop mutual cooperation in joint training and personnel and educational exchanges in a more systematic manner. In addition, they emphasized that the Korean Air Force's Black Eagles would support the successful hosting of the Dubai Airshow, scheduled to be held in the UAE in November.

In the defense industry sector, both sides recognized the excellence of K-Defense, which was confirmed through the first-ever local joint training of mechanized units such as the K2 and K9 held in the UAE in February 2025. They agreed to work together for mid- to long-term cooperation in the defense industry and defense science and technology.

The Ministry of National Defense stated, "The vice ministers of both countries have further solidified mutual trust between the two ministries through this Vice Ministerial Steering Committee, which provided useful and constructive discussions," and added, "They fully agreed that future cooperation in defense and the defense industry will be further strengthened."