DND inks equipment production deal with South Korean firm

The Department of National Defense-Government Arsenal (DND-GA) has signed the implementing agreement for Force Protection Equipment (FPE) co-production deal with South Korea’s Samyang Comtech Co. Ltd.

The deal calls for Samyang Comtech to establish manufacturing and testing facilities in the Defense department’s GA complex and eventually transfer the technology needed in the production and testing of the equipment, primarily armor vests and ballistic helmets, in favor of the DND-GA.

“This technology, which has the quality of South Korea’s Army FPE, is needed by the GA to develop the capability for the in-country production of FPE to support the requirements of the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies, in line with the FPE Acquisition Program of the Philippines,” the Defense department said Wednesday.

The deal stems from a 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and South Korea on logistics and defense cooperation.

Government Arsenal Director Daniel Casabar Jr. signed the agreement for the Philippines, while Samyang was represented by its president, Kim Jong Il.

Other Defense department officials present during the signing ceremony were Undersecretary for Finance and Material Raymundo DV. Elefante, Assistant Secretary for Financial Management Josue Gaverza Jr., Assistant Secretary for Logistics and Acquisitions Jesus Rey Avilla, Legal Affairs Service Chief Norman Daanoy, and Armed Forces Deputy Chief Of Staff for Logistics Maj. Gen. Pio Dinoso.

Samyang’s Philippine representative Sandra Han and administrative manager Song Hyongduc were also present when the document was signed. —Llanesca Panti/VDS, GMA News