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Korea Aerospace Industries will export 55 XKT-1 light bomber-trainer jets to Turkey for US$500 million by 2013. The deal is the biggest ever involving a Korean-made aircraft. And it¡¯s the second-largest arms export deal for Korea following a US$1 billion deal in 2001 selling K9 self-propelled artillery to Turkey. Korea, which had been virtually barren when it comes to homegrown aerospace technology, has finally done it after 20 years of research and development.
At times, development of the XKT-1 seemed reckless, considering the project was launched in 1988 without even a proper blueprint and with inadequate funding and manpower support. In 1991, just 10 minutes into its maiden flight, its remote-controlled measuring instruments malfunctioned. An American pilot who tested the third prototype of the XKT-1 called it a ¡°funny¡± aircraft that was impossible to control. In 1996, the canopy of the fourth prototype blew off during a test flight. After surviving all the ridicule and hardships, the XKT-1 beat its rivals not only from the United States, but also from Brazil, whose aerospace industry is reportedly 40 years ahead of ours, to win the Turkish contract.
Demand for the XKT-1 aircraft is expected to rise to 600 units over the next 10 years, due to its versatility as a trainer for air force cadets and as a guerilla fighter. KAI, whose technology has been proven by the Turkish contract, is pushing for export deals to Guatemala and Mexico. The Korean-made supersonic jet fighter T-50, which was developed in 2005, is also drawing keen attention from the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Singapore. Demand for the T-50, which costs four times more per unit than the XKT-1, is expected to rise to 3,000 units by 2030. That means another opportunity for Korea¡¯s aerospace industry to take off.
In July this year, U.S. military journal Defense News reported that, ¡°Cutting its teeth on component manufacture and licensed production of U.S. weapons over past decades, South Korea¡¯s defense industry is now seeking to become a global leader with world-class products built on its own technologies.¡± The publication also hailed Korea¡¯s homegrown XK-2 tank, cruise missile Haesung, portable missile Shingung, K-21 armored infantry carrier, naval vessel and submarines. At present, only two Korean companies rank within the world¡¯s top 100 defense companies. But this high value-added industry has the potential to grow as much as we are willing to nurture it. And with the export of XKT-1 trainers, we have taken the first big step.
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