With Poland showing a liking for weapons made in South Korea and looking increasingly likely to emerge as the first European customer of Korea Aerospace Industries' KF-21 fighter jet, the company is eyeing more success in Europe.
At the ongoing Show, KAI has showcased models of the KF-21 as well as the FA-50 multi-role light attack aircraft. Models of the light armed helicopter (LAH) and the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH-1) are also on display. The LAH is nearing mass production.
The FA-50 has recently been exported to Poland and Malaysia. The company is hopeful of more success in the European market following Poland's procurement of 48 FA-50s last year. Interest in the aircraft is soaring in Asia too, after Malaysia decided to export 18 FA-50 jets for US$920 million.
The KF-21 is currently undergoing extensive flight testing. There are reports that Polish defense prime Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) wants to participate in the KF-21 program, A letter of intent is expected to be issued soon. Currently, Indonesia is the sole co-development partner of the KF-21, but the relationship is on rocky grounds as Indonesia is yet to fulfil its financial obligations to South Korea,
In May this year, the locally-developed KF-21 passed a provisional combat suitability evaluation. Earlier this month, Diehl Defence announced that an IRIS-T short-range infrared-homing air-to-air missile had been successfully fired from the KF-21. The successful test firing comes just 10 months after the aircraft made its first flight. The KF-21 Boramae is expected to enter service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) in 2026. The IRIS-T has been selected as the aircraft’s standard short-range air-to-air missile.
Last year, Poland had signed two contracts to buy 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft made by KAI. The country has also acquired Korean K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and the K239 multiple rocket launcher.
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