Korean Aerospace Industries, the nation’s sole aircraft maker, joined hands with Airbus Helicopters to export locally made choppers, the Korean company said Wednesday.
For this, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in Seoul to cooperate in the rotary aircraft sector.
The agreement calls for cooperation between the two sides in the Korean company’s export of the Light Armed Helicopter, Light Civil Helicopter and the Surion, as well as follow-up support such as helicopter maintenance and business expansion.
KAI officials said the deal is expected to help export Korean helicopters worldwide by sharing Airbus Helicopter’s vast international network, as well as help secure core technology by cooperating in maintenance, repair and overhaul for major helicopter parts.
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| (Starting left) Airbus Helicopter China CEO Nobert Ducrot, Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier, KAI president and CEO Ha Sung-yong and KAI vice president of rotary-wing aircraft development Kim Joo-kyun was present at the understanding signing in Seoul on Wednesday. KAI |
KAI is currently marketing its helicopter models in the Middle East, Asia and South America regions for export.
“We expect to sell over 1,000 LAH and LCH helicopters and will do our best to contribute to economic development and job creation,” said KAI president and CEO Ha Sung-yong.
“South Korea is an important market for Airbus and we hope to increase cooperation between both countries and strengthen our position in Korea,” said Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier.
KAI has maintained a cooperative relationship with Airbus Helicopters for the past 10 years by developing the Korean helicopter Surion, and jointly developing the LAH/LCH helicopters last June.
By Sang Youn-joo (sangyj@heraldcorp.com)
