KAI Begins FA-50 Export Cooperation with Slovak Defense Company

Bridgehead for Entry into European Advanced Trainer and Light Attack Aircraft Market

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 3rd that it has signed an industrial cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Slovakia's state-owned defense company LOTN in Budapest, Hungary, for the export of the light attack aircraft FA-50.

The agreement, signed in Budapest where the Korea-Visegrad Group (V4: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary) summit is currently taking place, was conducted at the Korea-V4 Business Forum linked to the summit, with the presidents of both KAI and LOTN signing the MOU.

Slovakia is considering replacing its aging advanced trainer L-39 and has the FA-50 as one of the leading candidate models. The scale is about 10 units. A Slovak Ministry of Defense delegation visited the KAI exhibition hall and observed the flight of the T-50B Black Eagles team during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2021 last month. They also toured KAI’s aircraft production facilities and took a test flight of the FA-50.

Through this MOU, KAI plans to discuss industrial cooperation measures with LOTN for the participation of the FA-50 in Slovakia’s advanced trainer and light attack aircraft acquisition projects.

KAI is seeking to enter the European market for trainers and light attack aircraft, starting with Slovakia. If the export to Slovakia succeeds, it will be the first case of a domestically produced aircraft being exported to European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. In particular, as the replacement of the latest 4th and 5th generation fighters in EU and NATO countries is actively underway, KAI plans to expand not only aircraft sales but also training service businesses for combat pilot training.

Hyun-ho Ahn, President of KAI, said, "This will lay the foundation for the FA-50 to enter the European market starting with Slovakia," and added, "We will definitely succeed in exports through the friendly relations between the Korean and Slovak governments and close cooperation with LOTN."

Meanwhile, a total of 72 T-50 series aircraft have been exported to four countries: Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Iraq. KAI is actively conducting marketing activities in advanced markets such as Malaysia, Colombia, Senegal, as well as North America and Oceania. The company envisions expanding exports to about 1,000 units over the next 20 years through continuous cost reduction and performance improvement of the FA-50.

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