Lima: South Korean defense companies are strengthening cooperation with Peru across the arms industry in a bid to make inroads into the Latin American market. Major defense firms, including Hyundai Rotem Co., Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., have separately struck collaboration agreements with Peruvian authorities on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima over the weekend. This summit was attended by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte. According to Yonhap News Agency, Hyundai Rotem signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Peru's Army Weapons and Ammunition Factory (FAME) aimed at exporting ground weapons to the country, including its K2 battle tanks and wheeled armored vehicles. The agreement represents an advance procedure before Hyundai Rotem and FAME sign a formal contract for these exports, designed for fast troop deployment to various front-line areas in Peru. An official at H yundai Rotem expressed commitment to aiding the modernization of the Peruvian military with their technology and expertise as South Korea's only battle tank manufacturer, with efforts to finalize the export deal already underway. In addition, the Korean company was chosen as the preferred bidder for a contract to export 30 K-808 White Tiger armored vehicles to Peru in May. This deal, anticipated to be formalized within this year, would mark South Korea's first exports of armored vehicles to Latin America. KAI has also been proactive, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Peru's state-funded aeronautical maintenance organization, Seman, to collaborate on producing parts for its KF-21 fighter jets in Peru. KAI has been striving to secure a package deal to export both KF-21 and multipurpose FA-50 fighter jets to Peru, which is looking to bolster its air force with next-generation jets. KAI CEO Kang Goo-young stated the company's plans to expand its presence in Latin America by establishing a product ion base in Peru. Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy entered into an MOU with Peru's state-owned shipyard, SIMA Peru S.A., to develop a submarine for the Peruvian Navy and collaborate on enhancing the country's shipbuilding industry. Under this preliminary agreement, the Korean company aims to assist in modernizing SIMA and actively participate in future projects of the Peruvian Navy. Last year, HD Hyundai secured a 640.6 billion-won (US$459.8 million) contract to build four warships for the Peruvian Navy, in partnership with SIMA.