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India and South Korea on Wednesday signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) related to self-propelled air defence systems and directed energy weapon systems (that include high-power microwaves and laser beams) during defence minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Seoul, a defence source told TOI. “Both future-oriented projects have a strong make-in-India focus,” the source said. Two agreements between India’s L&T and South Korea’s Hanwa Co Ltd were signed. The pacts are expected to facilitate enhanced collaboration between defence industries of both countries and promote technology cooperation and capacity building, according to a ministry statement. Hanwha and L&T had earlier tied up to provide the Indian Army with 100 K9 Vajra-T 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers under a 2017 contract. Later, an additional order for 100 more howitzers was finalised. Rajnath and minister of national defence for South Korea, Ahn Gyu-back, held bilateral discussions, reviewed defence cooperation and discussed ways to further expand collaboration. Both sides acknowledged the growing convergence between India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s regional strategic vision, reiterating their commitment to strengthening defence ties in line with the shared objectives of maintaining a free, open, inclusive and rule-based Indo-Pacific.
