In August 2024, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) of South Korea and Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in supporting the T-50TH Golden Eagle fighter and trainer aircraft. This agreement represents a key advancement in military aviation collaboration between the two countries, outlining plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center in Thailand. KAI views this move as crucial for improving the operational efficiency of the T-50TH fleet. Additionally, the MoU serves as a precursor to a performance-based logistics (PBL) contract that KAI and TAI are preparing to finalize with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).
The collaboration aims to boost the operational availability of Thailand’s 14 T-50TH aircraft, which are currently operated by Squadron 401, Wing 4, at Takhli in Nakhon Sawan Province. KAI also envisions the potential to establish a broader aircraft maintenance base in Asia and explore new markets through this partnership. The logistics agreement with the RTAF is expected to follow a model successfully used with the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF), which operates the largest fleet of T-50 variants globally.
KAI’s international expansion continues, with a new office in Poland to support the procurement of 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft, alongside a dedicated factory at the Polish Air Force’s Mińsk Mazowiecki air base. KAI also entered into a parts manufacturing agreement with Peru’s Sema MRO center in 2024, aiming for potential FA-50 acquisitions by Peru, which is also considering joining the KF-21 Boramae fighter program.
(Source: MilitaryLeak.COM)
