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KAI is looking at export opportunities in Europe for the T-50.
LONDON—British defense company Babcock is working with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to explore whether the two can partner on military flying training in Europe.
A memorandum of understanding announced by Babcock on Nov. 29 is one of several agreements the London-based company signed with South Korean industrials, including shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean.
Babcock's arrangement with KAI will “explore military flying training, air base support and engineering opportunities targeted in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe,” potentially opening up export opportunities for KAI’s T-50 and KT-1 trainers.
Babcock is one of the partners in the Ascent Flight Training joint venture with Lockheed Martin, which runs the Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS). Babcock also provides the Mentor1 flight training service for the French Air Force.
KAI has ambitions to sell more T-50s into Europe and sees market opportunities to replace aging training aircraft service with European air forces. In recent days, the UK Royal Air Force chief has said he would like to replace the BAE Systems Hawk T2. There are also expectations that France will need a new generation of jet trainers ahead of the introduction of a crewed fighter that will form the Future Combat Air System. At present, French fighter pilots transition directly from the PC-21 to the Dassault Rafale.
Babcock said the partnership with KAI would “bring together Babcock and KAI’s military aviation experience.”
“These agreements will help to grow these exciting strategic partnerships, leveraging our respective capabilities to pursue global prospects and to deliver impactful results for our customers,” Babcock CEO David Lockwood said.
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