WNAM REPORT: Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will conduct combined drills in the Middle East nation in February, Seoul’s defense ministry said Monday, as part of efforts to bolster their defense cooperation.
Under the plan, service members of the Korean Army, Navy and Marine departed for the UAE from a naval base in Jinhae, 312 kilometers southeast of Seoul, earlier in the day to attend the combined exercise scheduled for Feb. 10-20, according to the ministry.
The upcoming exercise, organized upon Abu Dhabi’s request, will take place at Al Hamra Training Center and waters off Abu Dhabi and involve a 4,900-ton Korean warship as well as 14 pieces of equipment, including the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer, the ministry said.
On the sidelines of the training, Korea plans to showcase its homegrown weapons systems and hold military exchange activities, such as discussing ways to expand cooperation with high-level officials, it added.
The defense ministry expected the combined drills to enhance the military’s capabilities to conduct joint operations as well as boost arms exports.
Last year, the Korean Army conducted its first overseas drills involving the K2 and K9 in Qatar, as part of efforts to bolster cooperation with counterparts in the Middle East.
