Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on the 18th that it took part in the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Middle East's largest exhibition.
First held in 1986 with 200 companies and 25 aircraft, the Dubai Airshow drew about 1,500 aviation and defense companies in 2023. About 200 military and commercial aircraft are displayed, and it has grown into an airshow that attracts 150,000 visitors every year. This year's airshow runs from the 17th (local time) to the 21st.
At this airshow, KAI is highlighting the next-generation Korean fighter KF-21. It is also exhibiting KAI's artificial intelligence (AI) pilot "KAIlet," as well as various unmanned aircraft that will form manned-unmanned teaming with the KF-21. It is also displaying the FA-50 multirole fighter, the Korean utility helicopter Surion, and the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH).
KAI maintains a strategic partnership with the UAE and plans to expand cooperation so the UAE can serve as a Middle East hub for Korean defense. In April, the UAE Air Force visited KAI's headquarters to check the KF-21 production facilities, and Al Sahraan Al Nuaimi, commander of the UAE Air Force Combat Center, personally boarded the KF-21.
Acting CEO Cha Jae-byeong of KAI said, "We will do our best to expand exports and develop a cooperative partnership in the future defense industry."