KAI participated in the Defense & Security 2019 held at the IMPACT Exhibition Center in Bangkok, Thailand, from Nov. 18 to display basic trainer KT-1, light attack aircraft FA-50 and Surion utility helicopters.
South Korea-ASEAN defense ministers' talks are also being held at the same time, and high-ranking government and military officials are attending the event, drawing attention.
Through a meeting with Thai Air Force commanders, KAI also discussed ways to cooperate on pending and future projects by the Thai Air Force, which is rumored to have paid much attention to Korean defense products by Thai military officials.
KAI has proposed Surion as a multipurpose mobile helicopter for the Thai Army, while tapping for additional exports of South Korean aircraft that have already been verified, such as T-50TH and KT-1, to strengthen the Thai Air Force's air power and train pilots efficiently.
So far, KAI has exported 12 T-50THs to Thailand on two occasions, four in 2015 and eight in 2017. The first batch of four aircraft exported has been completed. The second batch was delivered last month and the delivery is scheduled to be completed by next year.
In May this year, KAI also signed a third contract on the remodeling of some aircraft already exported, including radar and alarm receivers. "The three time export contracts with Thailand's Air Force have been recognized for the excellence of Korean-made aircraft," a KAI official said.
