The Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea.
The five-year agreement, signed today, 17 November 2025, seeks to enhance cooperation in the defence industry and in defence research and development. This collaboration will focus on the production and exchange of defence materiel, knowledge and technologies, guided by the principle of reciprocity. Reflecting on this significant milestone, Advocate Solomzi Mbada, Chief Executive Officer of Armscor, underscored the importance of collaboration and strategic partnerships within the global defence sector.
“We play a pivotal role in capacitating the defence force with the materiel required to execute its mandate. Our ability to consistently deliver on this mandate is rooted in our commitment to providing quality and fit-for-purpose solutions. This is achieved through strong partnerships with industry, supported by our Acquisition and Research & Development capabilities,” said Adv. Mbada.
To give effect to the MoU, the parties will establish a Joint Committee on Defence Industry Cooperation, comprising representatives from designated focal points in both organisations. In addition, Armscor and DAPA will endeavour to promote collaboration between their respective defence industries. This includes the potential acquisition of armament systems from one another, as well as joint defence research and development initiatives were deemed appropriate. Armscor remains committed to forging partnerships that create opportunities and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the defence industry. 1 This agreement provides a platform for the Corporation to leverage its decades of acquisition expertise to deliver key solutions that support the broader defence ecosystem.
“We view this collaboration as an opportunity to strengthen bonds of friendship and mutual interest with DAPA, within a framework of mutual respect. It further reinforces Armscor’s position as a gateway to defence solutions for South Africa and the African continent at large,” concluded Adv. Mbada. The MoU will be implemented in accordance with the national laws and regulations of both countries. DAPA is a government agency responsible for managing defence procurement on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea.
