The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on the 21st that it signed a mutual recognition agreement on military aircraft airworthiness certification with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Airworthiness certification refers to a government agency verifying and certifying that an aircraft has no issues with flight stability. Mutual recognition means the other country recognizes the flight safety of domestic aircraft certified by each government.
Malaysia became the eighth country to sign a mutual recognition agreement on military aircraft airworthiness certification with Korea. DAPA said it is the first among Asian countries.
The government plans to conduct airworthiness certification for 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft contracted for export with Malaysia. DAPA also plans to expand the signing of mutual recognition agreements on military aircraft airworthiness certification with export destination countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
DAPA Commissioner Seok Jong-geon said, "With the mutual recognition of airworthiness certification with Malaysia as a starting point, we also expect the expansion of exports of domestic aircraft in Asia and the development of the domestic aviation industry through strengthened cooperation in the defense sector."