KAI inks deal with Europe’s MBDA to enhance its aircraft performance

[Courtesy of KAI]

The Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), a Seoul-based aerospace and defense company, announced on Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a strategic partnership with the U.K. office of MBDA Group, which specializes in missile development and manufacturing in Europe.

KAI, a part of the economic delegation accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol on his state visit to the United Kingdom, said the MOU signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the Korea-UK Business Forum in London.

The signing ceremony was attended by representative officials from the two countries, including Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu, U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch, and KAI President Kang Goo-young.

The agreement between KAI and MBDA will aim to strengthen the armament capabilities of Korean-made aircraft and exchange marketing information between the partners for potential exporters.

The partnership will also be expanded to cover export campaigns for fighter jets and armament packages.

The Korean defense company expects the collaboration with MBDA, which boasts aircraft system capabilities, to enhance Korean aircraft, including the FA-50 light attack aircraft and the KF-21 Korean supersonic fighter.

“Recently, there has been growing global demand for various armaments,” Kang said. “We will work with MBDA to propose enhanced domestic fighter aircraft to our customers.”

KAI is also focusing its marketing efforts in the United States and Egypt, with the latter considered a strategic point in Africa.