Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) participated in the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, from September 5 to 8 (local time) and conducted active marketing activities in Central Europe and NATO member countries.
KAI is targeting the European market by showcasing its next-generation flagship aircraft, including the FA-50PL fighter jet exported to Poland, the KF-21 Korean fighter jet that has been provisionally certified for combat, a small armed helicopter (LAH), the NI-500VT vertical takeoff and landing drone, and an unmanned AAV.
This year, as Korea is participating as the Lead Nation, KAI will have a booth in the Korean Pavilion, adding synergy as a representative of the "One Team" strategy in line with the government's defense industry support policy.
In particular, KAI's strategy is to focus on marketing the FA-50 and KF-21 to major European countries that are in need of fighter jet replacement.
The first and second FA-50 exported to Poland made their first flights in the European skies on Poland's Armed Forces Day, attracting attention across Europe as the key aircraft to replace Poland's flagship fighter Mig-29.
To promote the scalability and excellence of the KF-21 to the European market, which is focused on indigenous aircraft, KAI organized a manned and unmanned complex system zone in the exhibition hall and emphasized its potential to evolve into a sixth-generation fighter.
The KF-21 is also showing active interest in Poland as the next fighter jet due to its operational compatibility with the FA-50 and ease of aircraft conversion.
At the exhibition, KAI plans to introduce the excellence of the FA-50 and KF-21 and develop potential customers by meeting with key officials from Poland and neighboring countries such as Slovakia and Bulgaria, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
"Poland will work with KAI to jointly explore opportunities for the FA-50 to enter the European and NATO markets," said Polish President Andrzej Sebastian Duda. "We are very pleased with KAI's fast delivery and the early fielding of the FA-50 to the Polish Air Force."
"The FA-50 will be an optimal solution for NATO member states as it is highly compatible with the F-16 fighter jets they operate," said Mr. Koo Young Kang, President of KAI. "We will continue the explosive growth of K-Defense by entering the global market with the KF-21."
On the opening day, KAI signed a business agreement with Poland's Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) for FA-50 follow-up support and future business cooperation.
