Diehl Defence, a world-leading supplier of air-launched guided missile systems, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), manufacturer and aircraft authority of the FA-50 series and KF-21 combat aircraft, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purpose of intensifying their integration and marketing efforts, addressing IRIS-T potential on FA-50 and KF-21 aircraft. The purpose of the agreement is the joint goal to integrate the IRIS-T missile into FA-50/T-50 and KF-21 Block II aircraft. This confirms the intention of both companies to investigate the potential for cooperation, as previously announced in an earlier agreement, signed during ADEX 2021.
The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin. The T-50 is South Korea’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world’s few supersonic trainers. The KAI KF-21 Boramae (formerly known as KF-X) is a South Korean-led fighter aircraft development program with the goal of producing an advanced multirole fighter for the South Korean and Emirati air forces.
In addition, the MoU covers the collaboration of working groups on marketing efforts for KAI aircraft equipped with Diehl Defence missiles. Finally, both companies agree to investigate the possibility to modify or further develop missile systems from Diehl Defence for Korea’s indigenous aircraft programs. Meeting during the visit of Kang Goo-Young, KAI CEO, as part of a Korean trade delegation to Berlin, Germany, this week, Dr. Harald Buschek, Chief Program Officer and member of the Diehl Defence Division Board, signed the MoU.
The companies announce the consolidation of their cooperation on the eve of Singapore Airshow, due to take place this week as Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence trade event this year. Diehl Defence and KAI have worked together for a number of years by now, combining Diehl Defence’s experience and capabilities in the field of development, production and integration of missile systems with KAI’s track record with successfully launching and managing military aircraft programs. The collaboration began in 2017 with the start of the integration of IRIS-T into the KF-21 Block I fighter.
