KAI signs deal with Polish aviation plant to maintain Korean-made FA-50 fighters

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) accord with a Polish defense entity to detail follow-up support for operating Korean-made FA-50 fighters exported to Poland.

Lee Sang-jae, KAI CS Center director, front right, and Dariusz Sokólski, acting president of WZL-2, sign an accord on the provision of the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for Korean-made FA-50 fighters shipped to Poland, at Minsk Mazowiecki Military Air Base in Poland on Thursday. [DAPA]

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) accord with a Polish defense entity to detail follow-up support for operating Korean-made FA-50 fighters exported to Poland.

The Teaming Agreement signed between KAI and Polish aviation MRO company WZL-2 was finalized last Thursday, the KAI announced Tuesday.

Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Poland signed procurement deals worth $12.3 billion to buy 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft. KAI delivered 12 FA-50 aircraft to Poland last year. It also established a local office and completed the transportation and reassembly of the aircraft.

This new agreement aims to ensure the Polish Air Force can reliably operate the FA-50 aircraft throughout its 30 to 40-year life cycle. KAI will provide a comprehensive support system that includes supply, maintenance and technical assistance to maintain constant combat readiness.

KAI is also preparing to sign a Performance Based Logistics contract with the Polish Air Force and a local company. Additional discussions are underway to expand WZL-2's depot maintenance capabilities for F-16 and C-130 aircraft to include the FA-50.

The partnership seeks to strengthen WZL-2’s role as a hub for follow-up support for the FA-50 and enhance KAI's marketing activities for the fighter in the European market.

“We will continue strengthening defense industry cooperation between Korea and Poland,” said Lee Sang-jae, KAI CS Center director.

The signing ceremony was held at Mazowiecki Military Air Base in Poland and attended by key officials from both countries. These included Sung Il, deputy minister of the Office of Military Resources Management at the Korean Ministry of National Defense; Seok Jong-gun, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; Lee; and Dariusz Sokólski, acting president of WZL-2.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]