Pakistan and South Korea will explore further avenues in defense industry cooperation, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production.

Analysts said this latest development likely will include modernization and expansion of Pakistan’s shipbuilding industry, as well as possible warship construction. Pakistan long has had plans to expand its shipbuilding facilities by opening new yards in locations such as Port Qasim and Gwadar.

Pakistan has previously signed deals with South Korea to produce 155mm ammunition and to support its fleet of T-37 Tweet basic trainer aircraft. South Korean defense companies often attend Pakistan’s biannual International Defence Exhibition And Seminar (IDEAS). IDEAS2014 will be held in Karachi in December.

… When it comes to pushing defense industry cooperation with Pakistan, however, Sarah Teo, South Korean foreign policy analyst with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technical University, says Seoul’s efforts to engage more with Pakistan in this area are part of wider efforts.

“South Korea’s growing defense equipment exports complements its rise as a middle power. The perception of South Korea as a non-threatening, non-assertive, status quo country helps make it an attractive partner for defense cooperation, especially with countries that are wary of getting entangled in major power dynamics,” she said.

“It also doesn’t hurt that South Korea’s defense industry and technology is perceived to be generally rather impressive,” she said.