Signing of Operational Agreement for Space Engagement Talks with Canada
On October 20, Air Force Chief of Staff Sohn Seokrak will meet with air force commanders from nine countries at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX), which officially opens today, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the military and defense industry sectors.
According to the Air Force, Chief Sohn will hold bilateral talks with air force commanders from nine countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), over two days until October 21 at the Defense Chalet within KINTEX in Ilsan and at the Walkerhill Hotel. Through these meetings, Sohn will share perspectives on the security environment of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region, discuss current issues among the respective air forces, and exchange ideas on promoting military and personnel exchanges and cooperation. Additionally, he plans to promote the excellence of domestically produced aircraft such as the KF-21 and FA-50.
First, on this day, Chief Sohn will hold a bilateral meeting with Lieutenant General Jamie Spieser-Blanchet, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and sign the 'Space Engagement Talks (SET) Operational Agreement.' Based on this agreement, the air forces of both countries will hold their first Space Engagement Talks on October 24, where they will discuss topics including Space Domain Awareness (SDA), space operations cooperation, personnel exchange and training in the space sector, and sharing of space policy information.
Chief Sohn will also meet separately with Ricky Mills, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (Major General), who is attending on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and Morita Takehiro, Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (General), to discuss military exchanges and cooperation between the Republic of Korea Air Force and the United States Air Force, as well as between the Republic of Korea Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. This marks the first time in ten years, since the 2015 Seoul ADEX, that the Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force has visited Korea for a meeting at the level of air force chiefs of staff between Korea and Japan.
In addition, Chief Sohn will meet with General Muhammad Norazlan bin Aris, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, which has introduced the FA-50, and Major General Ireneusz Nowak, Commander of the Polish Air Force, to actively discuss flight training and follow-up logistics support measures.
Furthermore, bilateral talks with General Mohammad Tony Harjono, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, and Major General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Commander of the UAE Air Force, will focus on cooperation and support measures from the Republic of Korea Air Force related to the KF-21.
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