South Korean Hanwha Aerospace has signed a new agreement with GE Aerospace to acquire T700 and F404 engine kits for assembly and testing in South Korea, the companies announced.
The engines will be used in Korea’s Surion helicopters and the T-50 family of trainer and light combat aircraft, including the TA-50 and FA-50.
Under the deal, GE Aerospace will supply Hanwha with 88 T700 engine kits and 40 F404 kits. The components will be produced in the United States, with final assembly, testing, and integration to be carried out by Hanwha in Korea.
In a statement, Rita Flaherty, Vice President of GE Aerospace’s Defence & Systems division, said the company remains committed to supporting Korea’s indigenous aerospace programs. “This order reinforces the long-standing partnership between GE and Hanwha,” she said, adding that GE looks forward to continued cooperation for decades to come.
Hanwha Aerospace President Sun Kim said the agreement reflects the company’s expanding technical role in Korea’s defense sector. He noted that Hanwha already manufactures engines for the KF-21 next-generation fighter, the T-50 jet trainer, and the KUH Surion utility helicopter. “The latest order will deepen collaboration with GE Aerospace and help advance Korea’s defense capability and global competitiveness,” he said.
The T700 engine, which will power Korea’s KUH-1 Surion helicopters, is one of GE’s most widely used turboshaft models. More than 25,000 T700 engines have been delivered globally, with over 100 million cumulative flight hours, according to company data. The T700-701K, the variant supplied for Korea’s rotorcraft, is the first rear-drive model in the T700 series.
The F404 engine, meanwhile, is used in Korea’s T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft family, which has been exported to multiple countries for advanced pilot training and light combat roles. The engine order supports both domestic fleet sustainment and potential future export deliveries, according to the companies.
GE and Hanwha have cooperated on engine programs for decades. Their collaboration began with licensed production and has gradually expanded to include assembly, maintenance, and component manufacturing. The new agreement builds on that history while supporting Korea’s next phase of aerospace development.
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