The agreement was formalized during a Korean delegation’s visit to London by Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, and Kang Goo-young, President of KAI. The agreement outlines the exploration of integrating MBDA’s latest weaponry with KAI platforms and exporting these solutions as part of joint marketing initiatives.
KAI’s President, Kang Goo-young, emphasized the growing global demand for various types of weaponry. He stated, “We will work with MBDA to propose enhanced domestic fighter aircraft to our customers.”
Eric Béranger, President of MBDA, conveyed that the combination of MBDA’s leading defense products and technologies with KAI’s established experience in developing and quickly delivering new aircraft presents an attractive prospect for the global arms market.
Expanding the capabilities of Korean aircraft with weaponry from another popular global supplier opens up opportunities to enhance these machines’ export potential. Currently, there is no information on whether the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea are interested in these options.
The possibility of arming the 5th generation KF-21 Boromae fighter, whose prototype flew this year, with short-range ASRAAM or medium-range Meteor air-to-air missiles seems more media-worthy. However, the FA-50 Fighting Eagle, purchased by countries including Poland, has greater export potential at present. Integration of these aircraft with weaponry like the Meteor air-to-air missiles, considered among the best globally, or the Brimstone and Spear air-to-ground missiles, could make them a more attractive offer for European users.
