Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) resumed export of finished machines after two years. It has been confirmed that KAI and the Thai government have entered into final coordination ahead of the two export contracts for T-50TH.
KAI's export of finished machines has ceased after December 2018. KAI President Ahn Hyun-ho, who took office in September 2019, selected "Export of finished machines'' as his inauguration day, but so far, he has not achieved such remarkable export performance.
According to industry sources on the 23rd, the Thai government and KAI negotiated an additional export of T-50TH to strengthen the Thai Air Force's aviation power and train pilots efficiently. The T-50TH is a modified aircraft from the T-50 Golden Eagle, an advanced training aircraft, for Thailand.
Thailand has bought 12 T-50TH units to date. KAI exported 4 units (approximately 130 billion won) for the first time in 2015, and 8 additional units (approximately 330 billion won) in 2017. In May 2019, it signed a contract for remodeling and improving the T-50TH (60 billion won).
Thailand tried to introduce two more units last year, but it was postponed indefinitely as the defense budget was cut in the aftermath of Corona 19. There were also concerns about canceling the introduction. However, it is interpreted that the Thai Air Force showed high satisfaction with the T-50TH and entered the negotiation table as soon as the year changed.
Accordingly, the T-50 is expected to record a total of 66 units, including 16 units in Indonesia, 24 units in Iraq, 12 units in the Philippines, and 14 units in Thailand (12 units + 2 units).
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