Chile looks to South Korea as a strategic supplier of military technology

By Nicolás García

The Chilean ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Mathias Francke, described the purchase of Kia Light Tactical Vehicle (KLTV) 4×4 light tactical armored vehicles for the Marine Corps (CIM) as the first step to incorporate more military technology from the Asian country into the Armed Forces.

The Chilean representative made this statement at the end of an exercise carried out by the Korean Army on May 2 in which 22 diplomats from 18 countries participated and in which the institution exhibited its K2 Black Panther tanks, K21 infantry fighting vehicles, K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, and Chunmoo rocket artillery systems.

According to Korea Herald, the demonstration is part of efforts by the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol to secure potential buyers by showcasing the latest weapons from Korean manufacturers.

The authority said it would intensify efforts to promote economic interests, including those related to the Korean arms industry.

At the end of the exercise, Francke referred to his country’s recent purchases of Korean tactical vehicles, calling them the “first step toward buying more Korean technology in the Armed Forces.”

According to the Korean media, the Chilean Marines incorporated a first batch of 30 units at the end of 2022.

The ambassador stated, “We do not have great relations in buying or selling weapons.”

“We are better with wine.”

“But we are always cooperating with Korea. We have an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) and cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Defense in acquisitions and other matters”.

A GROWING RELATIONSHIP

Chile and Korea have an important bilateral relationship in defense that began in the late 1970s.

In that period, the Marine Corps received combat clothing, parkas, cold weather underwear, cotton socks and marching boots, and ballistic helmets in the framework of the Beagle Crisis.

In 1986, the CIM purchased a batch of Hyundai WIA KH-178 105/33 mm caliber field howitzers, eight KM 414 4×4 vehicles as a platform for 105 mm recoilless guns, and two KM 414 for communications.

Later, in the 2000s, the incorporation of 4×4 KM 420 vehicles and 4×4 Kia KM 450, 6×6 Kia KM 250, and 6×6 KM 500 military trucks began.

Both countries have in force an Agreement on Cooperation in the Fields of Defense Industry and Logistics Support, signed in Santiago, Chile, on April 22, 2015.

Its purpose is to promote cooperation based on the principle of reciprocity, particularly in producing and exchanging materials for defense, enhancing logistical support capabilities between their Armed Forces.

On September 30, 2022, the processing of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Chile and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Defense Cooperation, signed in Seoul on April 29, 2019, began in the Senate.

According to the text, the initiative promotes friendly ties based on equality, reciprocity, mutual benefit, and respect for national legislation.

The instrument, a complement to the Agreement on Cooperation in the Fields of Defense Industry and Logistic Support, will allow for the expansion of collaboration to other areas, such as the exchange of experiences and information related to defense; peace operations; cyber defense and cybersecurity; humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping activities; technology, medicine, military education, and training; and crisis management in the face of natural disasters.

With information from Infodefensa

News Chile, English news Chile, Chilean Marine Corps (CIM)