Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)

Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) is a South Korean aerospace systems integrator with its headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. It was established on 1 October 1999. KAI works across three areas: aircraft, space systems and aftermarket services.

Aircraft

• Fixed wing: FA-50, KT-1, KC-100 and the KF-21 Boramae fighter
• Rotary wing: KUH Surion utility helicopter, plus LAH and LCH variants
• Unmanned aerial vehicles
• Aerostructures for commercial and military aircraft
• Training systems

KAI says it developed the KT-1 basic trainer, the T-50 supersonic advanced trainer and the Surion helicopter before completing development of the KF-21.

Aerostructures

KAI states it was the first company in Asia to obtain design approval rights from Airbus for the A350 XWB wing structure. It operates a factory producing A350 XWB wing ribs and a dedicated factory for A320 wing structures.

Space and aftermarket

• Satellites: CAS500, KOMPSAT, GEO-KOMPSAT and a national defense satellite
• Final assembly of the KSLV-II (Nuri) space launch vehicle
• MRO for commercial and military aircraft, and upgrade and modification work

Company facts

• Established 1 October 1999
• Headquarters: Sacheon-si, with a Seoul office and sites at Sancheong, Jongpo and Goseong
• Operates the KAI Aerospace Museum and KAI Aviation Center
• Subsidiaries include KAEMS, S&K Aerospace and Aviosys Technologies