Peru ‘s military modernization: FA-50, KF-21, submarines and armored vehicles stand out in agreements with Korea

During the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), held in Lima, the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and the President of the Republic of Peru, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, signed a joint declaration to strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation within the framework of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In the field of defense, this agreement is particularly relevant, since Peru is focusing its efforts on the acquisition of South Korean military equipment to modernize and strengthen the operational capacity of its Armed Forces.

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Both presidents stressed that the strengthening of cooperation relations in the field of defense and defense industries between the two countries is a milestone in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to underpin the defense and industrial development capabilities in strategic areas of Peru.

(1/4) Perú y Corea suscribieron instrumentos bilaterales durante #APECPerú2024 en industrias para la Defensa: (ABRIMOS HILO) ??? pic.twitter.com/RBQhWfQFn2

— Mindef Perú (@MindefPeru) November 17, 2024

The specific agreements

This cooperation, which began to gain momentum in 2010, has already produced concrete results, such as the co-production of KT-1P “Torito ” aircraft for the Peruvian Air Force (FAP), the manufacture of naval patrol boats and multi-role ships, as well as the donation of two Pohang class corvettes for the Peruvian Navy (MGP).

In 2024, Peru and South Korea signed a series of agreements aimed at significantly strengthening Peruvian military capabilities through the transfer of technology and the co-production of various weapons systems and naval platforms.

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Specifically, the signed agreements involve:

• Peruvian Navy:

• • Construction of two Auxiliary Logistic Transport Units, an Ocean Patrol Vessel and a Multi-Role Vessel, under a Strategic Partnership Framework Agreement between SIMA Peru and Hyundai Heavy Industries (April 2024).
  • Joint development of submarine units through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between SIMA Peru and Hyundai Heavy Industries (November 2024).

• Peruvian Army:

• • Strategic Alliance to develop special military vehicles between FAME S.A.C. and the STX Corporation – Hyundai Rotem consortium (May 2024).
  • Framework agreement for the acquisition, co-development and co-production of armored vehicles (wheeled and tracked, including the K2 “Black Phanter” MBT), technology transfer and R&D initiatives, signed between FAME S.A.C. and Hyundai Rotem (November 2024).

• Peruvian Air Force:

• • Memorandum of understanding to manufacture aeronautical structural parts for the FA-50 light fighter aircraft, between SEMAN Perú S.A.C. and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) (July 2024).
  • Agreement for the manufacture of aeronautical parts of the KF-21 model, signed between SEMAN Perú S.A.C. and KAI (November 2024).

Peru, which currently concentrates more than 70% of South Korea’s defense exports in South America, is emerging as the main maintenance center and regional access point for South Korea’s advanced weapons systems. This strategy, developed through a strategic alliance, follows the successful model implemented by South Korea in countries such as Malaysia and Poland.

In the coming years, the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) will incorporate FA-50 fighters and, potentially, advanced KF-21 Boramae fighters, while the Peruvian Navy (MGP) will operate South Korean-designed ships and submarines. For its part, the Peruvian Army will add K2 tanks and K808 White Tiger 8×8 armored vehicles to its arsenal, significantly strengthening its tactical capabilities. This modernization will be supported by a solid local maintenance system and the growing participation of the Peruvian defense industry in the production of strategic components, consolidating the Peruvian Armed Forces as one of the most modern and efficient in the region.