More details have come out from the South Korean News Agency News 1 of the possible sale by the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) of the KT-1 Woongbi aircraft to the Philippines.
First is that it is being eyed as a replacement for the S-211 Basic Jet Trainer (BJT) aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF). Next is that is expected to compete with the Czech Republic made L-39NG and American T-6C Texan II aircraft for the BJT role.
First is that it is being eyed as a replacement for the S-211 Basic Jet Trainer (BJT) aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF). Next is that is expected to compete with the Czech Republic made L-39NG and American T-6C Texan II aircraft for the BJT role.
I am posting below the English translation of the article by Google Translate:
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KAI talks with Bangladesh and Philippine governments to export 'KT-1 Woongbi' Training Machine
Southeast Asia finished exports green light... Introduced KT-1 to replace old-fashioned species The first step in Seong-si, Bangladesh… Expect additional exports
(Seoul=News 1) Reporter Min-Seok Kim | 2020-06-26 15:57
It has been confirmed that the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is in the process of exporting KT-1 basic trainers (Wungbi) to Bangladesh and the Philippines.
It is noteworthy whether it will break through the difficult external conditions following the aftermath of the Corona 19 and achieve the export performance of the finished product. KAI has been focusing on expanding exports since President Ahn Hyun-ho took office in September last year, but there is no news of new orders yet.
According to industry sources on the 26th, the governments of Bangladesh and the Philippines are working closely with KAI to replace their air force trainers with the proven KT-1.
The KT-1 basic trainer was first developed in 1988 by the Defense Science Research Institute and KAI (Daewoo Heavy Industries at the time of contract), which was developed with domestic proprietary technology.
Since the first export of KT-1 to Indonesia in 2001, KAI has accelerated the development of overseas markets. As a result, Turkey (2007), Indonesia (2012), Peru (2016), Senegal (2018), etc.
According to local military journals, the Bangladesh Air Force is considering the KT-1 as an aircraft to strengthen its air force and train its pilots effectively. The aim is to introduce a model that has proven itself without competing with neighboring countries.
However, the specific quantity desired to purchase is not known. Initially, the Bangladesh government's defense plan plans to acquire 24 elementary trainers, but it can be flexible depending on the price per unit. This will be confirmed according to the progress of negotiations with KAI.
In relation to this, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Islam, Bangladesh, visited the headquarters of KAI Sichuan and inspected KT-1. He was keenly interested in Surion (KUH-1) as well as KT-1, which is being considered for introduction.
"I hope someday I will be able to recommend this helicopter to the government of Bangladesh," said Ambassador Islam Abida in an interview with MTN in Surion.
The Philippine Air Force, which is looking for a new training machine, is also known to have negotiated the government with KT-1 as a potential candidate. To replace 12 SIAI Marchetti S-211 trainers currently in operation.
Korea's KT-1 is expected to compete with the Czech L-39NG and the US Beachcraft T-6C Texan II.
In particular, in the Philippines, KT-1 exports are expected to be promising, as the Korean government and KAI have exported 12 FA-50s (at the time of $420 million) as a light-to-government contract (GtoG) method.
The FA-50, a light attack aircraft developed on the basis of the T-50 trainer, has been proven to be a safe weapon and proven functional in 2014.
When the export of the training machine is completed, it will be the first time in Bangladesh for the export of finished products. It is also expected to ease some of the concerns about sluggish exports due to Corona19.
In addition, while major projects of KF-X (Korean fighter), LCH (small civilian helicopter), and LAH (small armed helicopter) are on track to normalize, exports of basic trainers and light attack aircraft will also play a role in the mid- to long-term growth engine.
KAI announced this year that it will secure mid- to long-term growth engines through the tactical introductory trainer business, the fourth mass production of Surion, export of finished goods, and continuous expansion of the civilian aircraft business.
In connection with this, Director Lee Bong-geun of the Export Center met with reporters at an event inviting ambassadors to Korea in 16 countries. "I am very satisfied with the pursuit of a partnership," he said.
ideaed@news1.kr
SOURCE: KAI, 방글라데시·필리핀 정부와 훈련기 'KT-1 웅비' 수출 협의
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