Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin (LM) decided to start business in the US market.
The two companies signed a Teaming Agreement (TA) on June 9 (US local time) and agreed to cooperate in the sale of more than 1,000 T-50 series.
KAI and LM, which will present an improved version of the FA-50 light attack fighter to the US Air Force and Navy, will permanently operate the Steering Commite, a strategic consultative body that will cooperate in all fields such as production and marketing, as well as design, aircraft improvement, and new factory expansion.
The two companies agreed to jointly target not only the US but also the global trainer/light attack aircraft market, which is estimated to have more than 500 units.
KAI and LM entered into a TA for export market development from the T-50 development stage and continued a close partnership.
The technological alliance between South Korea and the United States, announced by US President Joe Biden during his recent visit to South Korea, is expected to materialize in the field of cutting-edge aviation.
The U.S. Air Force tactical trainer project, which is about 280 units, and the U.S. Navy advanced trainer/tactical trainer project, which is scheduled to introduce 220 units, are known to start in 2024-2025.
If it wins the US business order competition, KAI will emerge as the largest supplier of the global trainer and light attack aircraft market, secure a job for at least 20 years, and economic effects of at least 56 trillion won are expected.
After signing the cooperation agreement with President LM Greg Ulmer, KAI President Ahn Hyun-ho said, "With Lockheed Martin and a single team, the export of the T-50 series will reach a epochal turning point."
