IAI & KAI Executives during MOU signing (credit: IAI)
  • ADEX 2021: IAI and KAI Increase Cooperation, Sign Additional MOU on Loitering Munitions

October 20, 2021 –Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on a Loitering Munitions Program, to secure a new concept weapons system that will maximize the effectiveness of Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD & DEAD) missions. The expanded cooperation between IAI and KAI will offer the South Korean military new technologies and will establish concrete cooperation plans through joint feasibility studies between the two companies.

IAI is a global leader in developing loitering munition systems. The new concept weapon system technology maximizes the effectiveness of SEAD & DEAD missions, can perform long-endurance reconnaissance missions and can strike a target immediately when necessary. IAI’s loitering munitions, including IAI’s HARPY NGW and HAROP loitering missile, are combat-proven in many countries around the world.

Chang Heon Han, Executive VP and Head of Future Business Division at KAI, said: “With the goal of leading the future of unmanned aerial vehicles, we are dedicated to developing next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle technology, and we will develop solutions that meet various customer needs.”

Yehuda (Hudi) Lahav, Executive VP of Marketing at IAI, said: “IAI is proud to continue expanding our collaboration with KAI, and share our combat-proven capabilities in the field of loitering munitions. IAI is happy to partner with one of Korea’s leading companies, and to continue growing our collaboration with the local defence market and Korean industry leaders. IAI looks forward to growing our partnerships with local Korean companies like KAI.”

 

  • Hanwha Defence Unveils New 6×6 Intelligent UGV

Hanwha Defence has taken off the wraps on a new two-tonne 6×6 unmanned ground vehicle, Named the Intelligent UGV (I-UGV). Unveiled just prior to the start of the show at Seongnam, just south of Seoul.

Hanwha Defence says the new Artificial Intelligence (AI) based UGV has been designed to meet domestic and export requirements. The I-UGV can carry out remote-controlled operations or GPS-enabled autonomous driving to perform various missions such as surveillance and reconnaissance, transport of cargo and wounded soldiers.

The fully electric I-UGV features enhanced mission capabilities, compared to the existing 4×4 Multi-Purpose UGV, or M-UGV, and other UGVs built in South Korea and will be on trial with a Republic of Korea Army infantry unit this month.

The I-UGV has travelled 100km per charge and move at a top speed of 40km/h on paved roads and 20km/h on unpaved roads. It has a 500kg payload capacity and a detection range of 4 km both day and night. The I-UGV is fitted with a high-end remote-controlled weapon station that can lock on to targets automatically using acoustic sensors to determine the source of gunfire during the confusion of combat.

  • KAI to Give 2 More T-50TH to Thailand

Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI) will deliver two more T-50TH advanced trainer jets to Thailand by November 2023. South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer last month had received a US$78 million deal to supply the trainer jets.

This additional order comes close on the heels of KAI getting an order for six more of the jet trainers from Indonesia at a contract value of US$240 million.

This would bring Indonesia’s fleet of T-50i advanced trainers to 20 aircraft, with 16 acquired in 2012 to replace its older BAE Systems Hawk 53 trainers dating from the 1980s that are currently operating in the advanced and lead-in fighter training role.

So far KAI has achieved US$400 million worth of deals to supply 16 T-50 trainer jets. KAI has exported 156 trainer jets worth US$3.1 billion – 72 T-50 advanced trainer jets worth US$2.6 billion and 84 KT-1 basic trainer jets worth US$700 million — to countries that include Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, Peru and the Philippines since its foundation in 1999.

“KAI will continue to export to new markets such as Southeast Asia, South America and Africa, and will soon surpass 100 export units,” a KAI official said. Thailand already has 12 T-50TH aircraft in service or on order with KAI.  The type is progressively replacing the service’s Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatross trainer.

Thailand signed a contract with KAI in 2019 to upgrade the fleet’s radars and electronic warfare system. Malaysia is also said to be considering the T-50 for its own Light Combat Aircraft programme.

  • HANWHA DEFENCE FUTURE HYBRID ELECTRIC TRACKED VEHICLES

Showcasing the hybrid electro-mechanical transmission(EMT) technology, which will be fitted to tracked armoured vehicles, Hanwha Defence announced that Hybrid Electric Vehicles are the future for combat vehicles. This technology will offer silent mobility, fuel efficiency and flexible functional modes. Hanwha Defence has been awarded this state project to be developed over the next decade in cooperation with Austria’s AVL, which specialise in the simulation and testing of powertrain systems.

 

 

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