KAI Signs 800 Billion KRW Contract for 2nd Phase Development of Baekdu System Reconnaissance Aircraft

Expected Image of Mission Aircraft for the 2nd Phase of Baekdu System Capability Enhancement Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 17th that it has signed a system development contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration for the ‘Baekdu System Capability Enhancement Phase 2 Project.’

This contract involves developing four new Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft domestically to replace the aging existing Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft by the end of 2026, with a project scale in the early 800 billion KRW range.

KAI, as the system development contractor, will be responsible for system integration of major avionics equipment such as information collection devices and transmission/reception systems based on France’s Dassault Business Jet Falcon 2000LXS, as well as developing ground systems and integrated system support elements for operating the information collection system.

Unlike the first Baekdu System Capability Enhancement project, which was led by the Agency for Defense Development from 2011 to 2018, KAI will take charge of comprehensive system development in this second phase, marking the entry of domestic defense industry’s reconnaissance aircraft development capabilities into a mature stage.

Starting with this project, KAI plans to actively participate in surveillance system construction projects such as long-range electronic warfare aircraft and Joint ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) aircraft, which are scheduled to be promoted in accordance with the government’s policy to transfer wartime operational control.

By concurrently developing its proprietary model of medium transport aircraft, KAI aims to expand new growth engines through additional supply and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of transport aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, and various mission-specific aircraft.

A KAI official stated, “The Baekdu System Capability Enhancement Phase 2 Project is a core project for the development of the domestic aerospace industry, including strengthening our military power, accumulating technology, and creating jobs. We will successfully carry out the project based on KAI’s diverse aircraft development experience.”

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