KAI Full Speed Ahead Into Southeast Asia

KOREA Aerospace Industries (KAI) is showcasing its key platforms across dedicated fixed-wing and rotary-wing zones, presenting its flagship aircraft alongside next-generation air combat system concepts incorporating Medium Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (MUCCA) and Small Unmanned Combat Aerial vehicle (SUCA) technologies at the Singapore Airshow 2026.

At the Airshow, KAI is highlighting its core programmes, including the KF-21 Boramae, which has entered full-scale mass production and is gaining global attention, the FA-50 which is the world’s best-selling light attack aircraft, the KUH-1CG, the coast guard variant of KUH; helicopter and the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) currently being mass-produced and delivered to the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA).

KAI is also sharing its future vision through exhibits of its independently developed Adaptable Aerial Platform (AAP) and Air Launched Effect (ALE) under development, the AI-based (artificial intelligence) pilot system KAILOT, and videos highlighting its manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system.

Throughout the show, KAI engaged with government officials and military leaders from Southeast Asian customer nations, as well as potential customer nations.KAI held discussions with current FA-50 operators on follow-on opportunities and is advancing efforts to secure launch customers for the KF-21. Customers of the FA-50 or T-50 trainer platform in the Asia-Pacific region include South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia being one of the newer customers.

At the same time, KAI is exploring new requirements and business opportunities to build export momentum for government and utility helicopters across the Asian market.

KAI Executive Vice President of Global Business Division Woorae Cho said, “The Singapore Airshow is a key platform driving the rapid growth of Korea’s defence industry. Building on the globally proven reliability of the FA-50 and the advanced capabilities of the KF-21, we will continue to strengthen the global presence of K-defence and drive meaningful export outcomes.”