KAI Strengthens KF-21 and FA-50 Export Cooperation with LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace

MOU on Domestic Aircraft Weapons Development and Joint Marketing

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that it will strengthen strategic cooperation with LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace to enhance the competitiveness of Korean defense technology and expand its presence in export markets.

Korea Aerospace Industries stated that on the 11th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the ongoing World Defense Show 2026, it signed a memorandum of understanding with LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace covering the development and integration of domestically produced aircraft weapons and joint marketing to boost the export competitiveness of the KF-21 and FA-50.

Cha Jaebyung, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries (right), and Shin Ikhyun, CEO of LIG Nex1, signed a memorandum of understanding on the 10th (local time) to integrate development of domestically produced aircraft armaments and to conduct joint export marketing. Korea Aerospace Industries

The companies agreed to expand cooperation measures including: joint technical review and system integration of aircraft weapons such as air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons for the KF-21 and FA-50; diversification of their weapons portfolios; and reinforcement of joint marketing.

As a result, they are expected to stably carry out system development projects such as long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground guided missiles led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and to successfully establish a weapons data link between the KF-21 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and guided missiles, thereby securing world-class technological capabilities. Through close cooperation between Korea Aerospace Industries, the only domestic aircraft system integrator, and leading domestic companies specializing in equipment and weapons, the strategy is to build a foundation for package exports that combine Korean aircraft platforms such as the KF-21 and FA-50 with K-weapons, and to further strengthen competitiveness for expanding export markets through joint marketing.

In particular, countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, prefer package-type proposals that integrate not only aircraft platforms but also equipment and weapons, so this strategic cooperation is being evaluated as a stepping stone for future entry into the Middle Eastern market.

Cha Jaebyeong, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries, said, "The KF-21 and FA-50 are symbols of Team Korea in K-defense, created through the efforts of various domestic partners in their respective areas of expertise," adding, "As the technological reliability of K-defense has increased, overseas customers have recently been demanding not only aircraft platforms but also overall operational systems as Korean-made packages, and joint marketing with domestic defense companies will be highly effective in expanding K-defense exports."

Son Jaeil, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said, "I am confident that we will achieve our aircraft weapons development goals through the synergy between our capabilities accumulated through various missile development projects and Korea Aerospace Industries' comprehensive fighter system integration capabilities," adding, "We will earn the trust of global customers and contribute to the sustainable growth of K-defense."

Shin Ikhyeon, CEO of LIG Nex1, said, "We will work together to ensure that our cooperation with Korea Aerospace Industries, the developer of domestic fighter aircraft, leads to the discovery of new export projects and the development of next-generation solutions, thereby contributing to the advancement of both companies and K-defense as a whole."

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