Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will strengthen its strategic partnership with Italy's GE Avio by jointly researching the power transmission system, a core technology for rotorcraft. Through this, the companies plan to enter the global aircraft parts supply chain together.
KAI said it signed a related memorandum of understanding (MOU) at GE Avio's headquarters in Turin, Italy, on the 11th (local time).
GE Avio is a corporations with world-class technology in rotorcraft power transmission systems and is working with KAI in various areas, including the localization development of the Surion power transmission unit (MGB).
Through this MOU, the two companies plan to pursue joint research and marketing to enter the global aircraft parts market. By combining their proven technological capabilities and global networks, they aim to jointly identify new overseas customers and enter an internationally certified parts supply chain together to boost market competitiveness.
They will also cooperate on the latest small and medium-sized aircraft engine technologies and hybrid propulsion systems in preparation for expanding future unmanned aircraft businesses. The two sides will form a joint working group and hold regular technical consultations.
KAI sees the agreement as significant because it goes beyond a one-off technical cooperation to become a strategic partnership based on joint research. The two companies plan to not only advance the existing MGB localization program but also research power transmission system technologies applicable to next-generation future aircraft and jointly participate in the European Union (EU) research and development funding programs to seek new business opportunities together.
KAI's strategy is to promote future businesses based on core rotorcraft technologies, share development risks, and establish a bridgehead for entry into the global market. Kim Jong-chul, KAI's president, said, "This agreement will strengthen the competitiveness of Korea's core technologies in the rotorcraft field and serve as an opportunity to expand our global cooperation network," adding, "Based on our accumulated technologies, we will continue to expand growth in the domestic aviation industry and opportunities to enter the global aircraft parts market."