Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to Promote Establishment of Technology Research Center with Airbus

by Ryu Hyunseok

Published 26 Apr.2023 11:00(KST)

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 26th that it held discussions to expand cooperation between Korea and Airbus DS.

On the afternoon of the same day, Ju Young-jun, Director General of Industrial Policy, held a meeting with Johan Felicie, President of Airbus DS Asia-Pacific region.

This meeting was to concretize the matters discussed between the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and Michael Schillhorn, CEO of Airbus DS, in November 2022. These include ▲establishing an Airbus technology research center in Korea ▲joint development of civil and military aircraft and small satellites ▲cooperation on exporting domestically produced aircraft to Western Europe ▲annual holding of Airbus supply chain meetings. In addition, they discussed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering these agendas between the Ministry and Airbus DS.

The Ministry expects that establishing an Airbus technology research center in Korea will enable expanded cooperation and synergy between domestic companies, which have proven excellent technological capabilities in the aerospace field, and Airbus. They also discussed holding the 'Airbus Supply Chain Meeting' annually to expand supply chain and advanced technology cooperation between domestic companies and the Airbus Group. Furthermore, they requested Airbus to participate in the 'Aerospace Industry Fund' being promoted by the Ministry.

Airbus DS is currently conducting feasibility reviews on location and partner institutions, aiming to start establishing the technology research center in the second half of this year. They also decided to review participation in the investment fund proposed by the Ministry. Additionally, they expect the technology research center to play an important role in transferring necessary technologies to Korean companies in the future and to become an institution that rapidly supports technology commercialization.

Ju Young-jun, Director General of Industrial Policy, said, "Since Airbus entered the Korean civil aviation sector in 1974, it has closely cooperated with Korean companies in the aerospace and defense industries for 50 years. Once the Airbus DS technology research center is established, we will provide the necessary support to make Airbus the optimal global supply chain partner."