KAI completes 1st batch of fighter jet exports to Poland

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), the country’s sole military aircraft manufacturer, completed its first batch of fighter jet exports to Poland amid growing concerns that a series of multibillion-dollar arms deals between the two nations may be at risk due to the change of government in Warsaw.

KAI said on Tuesday it has delivered 12 units of the FA-50 light fighter jets to the Central European country within 15 months of signing a $3 billion contract to export 48 units of the warplanes in September 2022.

“Starting with the delivery of the first and second units of the FA-50GF to the country’s Minsk air base in July last year, we fulfilled the contract without any issues by supplying all12 units to the Polish Air Force," KAI said in a statement, referring to the light combat jets with similar configurations as those required by the South Korean Air Force.

The aircraft maker is scheduled to deliver 36 units of the FA-50PL, a model with additional configurations requested by the Polish Air Force such as improved avionics equipment and weapons from 2025 to 2028.

DEALS AT RISK

The delivery came as the new Polish government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of a revision to some of the arms deals agreed upon under the previous administration citing overspending.

A Polish foreign ministry spokesperson said the "scope of some of the contracts may need to be reviewed to answer current security needs," Voice of America reported last month.

South Korea has been in talks with Poland to ensure the multiple arms deals secured by local companies such as KAI, Hyundai Rotem Co. and Hanwha Aerospace Co. from Warsaw, will be carried out as agreed despite the leadership change, Yonhap News Agency quoted a government official in Seoul as saying.

KAI aims to expand collaboration in the defense sector with Poland.

“Active cooperation between Korea and Poland enabled us to deliver 12 FA-50GFs on time,” said KAI CEO Kang Goo-young. “We plan to extend defense cooperation with Poland and further contribute to improving its air force power with KAI’s outstanding technology and production capabilities.”

BEYOND POLAND

The company is set to use Poland as its overseas marketing base to export the FA-50s to other countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa with a final target of the US, with the world’s most powerful air force.

KAI is currently focusing on Egypt, a strategic security point in Africa.

The firm seeks to sell the light fighter jets to the US as the country plans to introduce 280 tactical trainers for the Air Force and 220 tactical trainers and advanced jet trainers for the Navy from 2024 to 2025.

Write to Mi-Sun Kang at misunny@hankyung.com
 
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.