Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is expanding its presence in the European market by showcasing its next-generation fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) linked to the KF-21 at the 34th International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2026) in Kielce, Poland.
KAI announced on September 9 that it is participating in the exhibition, which runs from September 8 to 11, featuring around 900 companies from approximately 35 countries. MSPO has been held since 1993 and integrates land, sea, and air defense.
At the exhibition, KAI unveiled a future combat system zone that integrates the KF-21 with unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and multipurpose drones (AAP), along with low-orbit communication satellites, forming a next-generation air combat system (NACS). This presentation included a roadmap for the phased development of domestic fighter jets aimed at evolving into sixth-generation aircraft.
In the FA-50 zone, KAI displayed the FA-50 model linked with AAP and introduced its performance expansion capabilities through a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) approach. The FA-50 entered the European market after securing an export contract for 48 units with Poland in 2022.
In the rotary-wing section, KAI showcased the MUM-T application of the Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) with air-launched drones (ALE). Following the completion of system development for the MAH in August, KAI is also targeting the European helicopter replacement market.
Previously, KAI opened a base office at the Minsk Air Base in Poland in 2023 to provide technical support for the FA-50 project. Last June, it established a European subsidiary in Warsaw to further expand its market presence.
KAI plans to explore follow-up business opportunities in Poland while seeking new projects in European countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovenia, which have demands for fighter jet replacements.
Kim Ji-hong, KAI's vice president, stated, "The performance and reliability of domestic aircraft, proven with the FA-50 in Europe, are generating interest in the KF-21, which is set for its first delivery to our Air Force in the second half of the year. We will continue to strengthen the presence of domestic aircraft across Europe, using Poland as a base."
Additionally, KAI recently completed the system development of the domestic Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) designed to support amphibious operations. The MAH is an attack helicopter based on the domestic Surion utility helicopter, incorporating weapon system technologies acquired during the development of the LAH.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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