Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Slovak state defense company, LOTN as part of its effort to pitch its FA-50 advanced trainer jet for the Central European country’s L-39 trainer aircraft replacement program.
Currently, Slovakia is looking for a replacement for its aging L-39 trainers. It is expected to issue a request for proposals (RFP) nextg year to buy 10 advanced trainers worth an estimated $500 million.
With the signing of this business agreement, various discussions such as industrial cooperation plans between KAI and LOTN for participation in the FA-50 model in the Slovak trainer acquisition project will be possible, a South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) statement said.
In addition, DAPA will hold discussions to expand Korea-Hungarian defense industry cooperation, such as proposing to sign an MOU for defense research and development between the two countries for international technical cooperation.
Eun-ho Kang, DAPA Director was quoted as saying in the statement, “I look forward to providing opportunities to expand defense cooperation with Hungary and Slovakia, which have great potential (for South Korean defense exports).”
The FA-50 is a trainer-light attack aircraft in service with the South Korean and Philippine air force. KAI has pitched the aircraft to various countries including Argentina and Peru.
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