Potential Trainers
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is actively pursuing exports of its FA-50 light attack aircraft to the United States, the world’s largest defense market. The export is expected to be worth 44 trillion won (US$35 billion), and, if successful, it would greatly boost the global standing of the Korean defense industry.
On July 18, KAI took the first step in entering the U.S. market by hosting the “Strategic Seminar on Expansion of Defense Cooperation for Strengthening the U.S.-Korea Alliance on its 70th Anniversary” at the National Assembly Members Office Building. The seminar was hosted by Han Ki-ho, chairman of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, and co-hosted by KAI, the Korea Defense Security Forum, the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, and the U.S.-Korea Alliance Foundation.
Key figures from various professional institutions, including the National Security Office, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, North Gyeongsang Province, and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, attended the event, expressing their determination for the success of the FA-50 project in the United States. Thomas Karako, director of the International Security Program, and Dan Kershulun, director of Lockheed Martin’s U.S. business, also gave presentations.
Lockheed Martin is a business partner with KAI in entering the U.S. military advanced trainer market. Last year, KAI and Lockheed Martin announced a cooperation agreement to develop an upgraded version of the FA-50 and participate in the U.S. Air Force tactical trainer project (280 units) and Navy advanced tactical trainer project (220 units). Both projects are expected to begin in earnest in 2024.
Dr. Jang Won-jun of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade projected at the event, “If the FA-50 project in the U.S., which could reach up to 600 units, is successful, it would create production worth up to 44 trillion won and create up to 120,000 jobs.” This is based on simple export values, and the industrial ripple effect could only expand when considering operation and maintenance costs, as well as the aftermarket.