KAI Aims for 50% Localization of Aircraft Material Parts by 2030

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is accelerating the localization of advanced aerospace materials. The domestic aerospace materials market is valued at 1.12 trillion KRW, and with an expected annual growth trend, KAI plans to strengthen the economic and employment creation effects through material localization.

On the 20th, at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) held at Seoul Airport, KAI announced the achievements of the ‘Aerospace Materials Development Consortium’ in localizing aerospace materials and held a technology exchange meeting with over 20 organizations.

KAI aims to replace the top 50% of frequently used materials (about 900 types) out of 1,800 types of materials and standard items with domestically produced materials by 2030. Since promoting material localization in 2019, KAI has completed localization of 20 types of aerospace materials such as aluminum extrusions, titanium rolled materials, and powders, as well as 15 types of standard items including machinery, electrical components, and piping, totaling 35 types.

The localized items are registered on the QPL (Qualified Products List) for use in aircraft and are being used in the production of the KF-21, reducing costs by 40% compared to foreign purchases. The QPL is a list of items that have passed performance standards set by airworthiness certification authorities and are recognized as usable materials and parts for aircraft.

Currently, localization of aerospace materials and parts is being promoted in various fields including metals (aluminum, titanium, titanium powder), composites (resin, epoxy, curing agents), standard items (machinery, piping, electrical), and functional materials (coatings, sealants). Aerospace materials are classified as core technologies with restricted technology transfer due to their characteristics of being lightweight yet having high strength, durability, and heat resistance, alongside radar, engine, and stealth technologies.

Successful localization significantly increases the added value of the materials themselves, resulting in substantial inherent economic and employment creation effects. In particular, cost competitiveness and stable material supply shorten production schedules and enhance export competitiveness. By providing domestic companies with aerospace industry delivery track records, KAI plans to support their participation as material and parts suppliers to Boeing and Airbus.

A KAI official stated, “The import substitution effect through localization of materials and parts is expected to reach about 750 billion KRW by 2030,” adding, “Delivery times will be shortened by more than 30%, and if expanded to the civilian sector, the effect will be more than twice that of the military sector.” KAI plans to apply domestically produced aluminum not only in KF-21 production but also in T-50, KUH, LCH, and LAH.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.