Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) participates in the "Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2023" held in Langkawi, Malaysia to strengthen strategic cooperation in the K-Defense garden Southeast Asian market.
LIMA exhibition is a renowned international defense exhibition held every two years in Southeast Asia, featuring aviation and maritime displays and shows. This year's exhibition, the first in four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the largest ever, attracting over 600 companies from 30 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. With more than 110 aircraft and 100 warships and ships on display, it showcases the latest advancements in defense technology.
During the event, KAI is showcasing its flagship lineup, which includes the FA-50M version, set to be deployed by the Malaysian Air Force, as well as the KF-21, Surion, and LAH, which have garnered significant global interest.
Recently, on May 23, KAI held a contract signing ceremony for the export of 18 FA-50s to Malaysia. The ceremony, attended by defense ministers from both countries, marked a significant milestone in the strategic collaboration between KAI and Malaysia. The total value of the contract amounts to $920 million or 1.2 trillion Korean won.
In February of this year, KAI signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) with the Malaysian Ministry of National Defense for the FA-50 export. Over the past three months, both parties have been engaged in discussions regarding aircraft delivery and follow-up support. As a result, on May 25, the Malaysian Ministry of National Defense will hold a Contract Signing Ceremony to formally announce the acquisition of the FA-50M.
Malaysia has plans to acquire an additional 18 aircraft of the same type as the FA-50, potentially raising the total quantity to 36 aircraft. If the second project is realized, the number of domestically produced KT-1 and T-50 series aircraft exported by KAI to various nations would reach a total of 240 units.
In a bid to strengthen friendly relations with the Air Chiefs of Staff from major ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, KAI is also participating in the "Air Chiefs Conference" hosted by the Malaysian Air Force Chief of Staff on May 24.
KAI's focus is not limited to the FA-50; the company is actively promoting the KF-21, which has recently been assessed as suitable for interim combat and has demonstrated exceptional performance. Additionally, KAI aims to generate interest in the Surion, which celebrates its 10th anniversary and is derived from diverse marine platforms, including amphibious attack helicopters and minesweeper helicopters. The presence of numerous naval officials from different countries at the exhibition is expected to enhance the visibility of the Surion.
"The outstanding performance and capabilities of domestic aircraft such as the KT-1 and FA-50 have been pivotal in expanding the Southeast Asian market," President of KAI, Kang Gu-young. "As interest continues to grow in our diverse lineup, including the KF-21, Surion, and LAH, we are committed to accelerating our marketing efforts."
In addition to KAI's participation, the Korean Air Force's renowned flight team, the Black Eagles, is also taking part in the air show to showcase the exceptional performance of the T-50 aircraft once again.
