Airbus to enhance cooperation with Korean firms in defense, space

Airbus DS CEO Michael Schoellhorn

Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) will deepen cooperation with South Korean defense and aerospace companies, citing the country’s growing competitiveness in the areas, said the multinational aerospace and defense company’s chief executive.

Airbus DS CEO Michael Schoellhorn touted Hanwha Aerospace’s recent deal to sell multi-caliber launch rocket systems worth 5 trillion won ($3.7 billion) to Poland as a great milestone to Korea, proving the nation is one of leading countries in the aviation, space and defense sectors. Airbus will actively seek more joint projects with Korea, Schoellhorn said during an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper.

CEO Schoellhorn is in Seoul to have meetings with Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation’s sole aircraft maker, to discuss ways to increase cooperation.

Airbus is a European multinational aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells civil and military aerospace products worldwide. Airbus DS is the division of Airbus, developing and manufacturing the corporation’s defense and space products. It is responsible for 20 percent of its parent firm’s annual revenue.

Airbus DS will look for additional partnership opportunities with the defense ministry and the KAI especially in earth observation satellites and drone sectors, citing the growing importance of those technologies.

Airbus DS has kept a partnership with the KAI since 2005 when the two first worked together to develop and manufacture the nation’s first multi-purpose geostationary satellite. They have jointly built a marine observation satellite and three earth observation satellites.