[Military Story] K Defense Industry Also Dominates the Skies

The 12th Country in the World to Develop Supersonic Trainer Aircraft
Equipped with Trainers Like TA-50 Featuring Attack Capabilities

The T-50, a flagship domestic trainer aircraft, is the first supersonic jet trainer and attack aircraft developed with South Korea's own technology. With the acquisition of the T-50, South Korea became the 12th country in the world to develop a supersonic aircraft using indigenous technology. The official name of the T-50 is the ‘T-50 Advanced Trainer.’ Its nickname is Golden Eagle (Geomdoksuri). It measures 13.4m in length, 9.45m in wingspan, and 4.91m in height, with a maximum speed of Mach 1.5, a takeoff weight of 13,454 kg, and a service ceiling of 14,783 m. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) began the development project in 1990, and from 1997, the American company Lockheed Martin joined the development. The airframe was completed in October 2001, and the first public flight was successfully conducted in August the following year.

The TA-50 trainer aircraft was originally designed for pilot training of fighter jets such as the F-15A, F-16, and F-22. (Photo by the Air Force)

The successor to the T-50 is the TA-50. The TA-50 trainer was originally designed for pilot training of fighters such as the F-15 A, F-16, and F-22. It is the final training aircraft for tactical mission proficiency before combat pilots are assigned to flight units. It is equipped with a highly maneuverable digital flight control system, digitally controlled engine, robust airframe, and landing gear. Thanks to these features, it is regarded as the highest-performing trainer in its class. Developed simultaneously with the T-50, it was deployed in 2012. From this year, the TA-50 Block-2 has been introduced. The Air Force plans to secure 20 units with an investment of about 1 trillion won. KAI has been researching and developing an upgraded version of the TA-50 since 2020. A KAI official stated, "The T-50 series aircraft have been recognized for their excellent performance and safety, with about 140 units operated in various countries," adding, "Although developed with U.S. technical support, we are also pursuing reverse exports to the United States."

The T-50 series aircraft have been recognized for their excellent performance and safety, with approximately 140 units operated in various countries. (Photo by Air Force)

Domestic trainer aircraft have been well-received in the global defense market. In May 2011, South Korea signed an export contract for a total of 16 T-50i aircraft with Indonesia, marking the country’s entry as the sixth supersonic aircraft exporter in the world, following the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden. Subsequently, 24 T-50IQ units were exported to the Iraqi Air Force, 12 T-50PH units to the Philippine Air Force, and 12 T-50TH units to the Royal Thai Air Force.

Aircraft Parts Export Volume Also Increasing Annually

Aircraft exports have been breaking records every year. Last year, aircraft parts exports reached $2.44 billion, a 34.1% increase from the previous year, marking an all-time high. The scale of aircraft parts exports first surpassed the $1 billion mark in 2010, reaching $1.5 billion. Since then, it has steadily risen. Domestic defense companies such as KAI, Hanwha Aerospace, LIG Nex1, and Korean Air have all participated. These companies produce a wide range of aircraft parts, including fuselage, wing structures, engine components, landing gear, special materials, and precision control devices. They supply major global airlines such as Boeing and Airbus.

A representative company is KAI. Last year, it recorded its highest-ever sales of 3.7984 trillion won. Airbus and Boeing are its major customers. Over 806.1 billion won, accounting for more than 20% of sales, came from the airframe and parts business sector. With steady growth in aircraft parts exports centered on the civilian sector and increasing defense exports of high-value-added products such as fighters and helicopters, positive forecasts suggest that the Korean aerospace industry will continue to grow.

Exporting one complete fighter jet is equivalent in scale to exporting 1,000 cars. Following the urgent supply of 12 FA-50GF (Gap Filler) units to fill the Polish Air Force’s capability gap last year, KAI plans to develop the remaining 36 units in the contract as FA-50PL models tailored to the Polish Air Force’s requirements and deliver them between 2025 and 2028.

‘K-Defense’ Ranks 3rd in the Global Aerospace Market

South Korea is also challenging entry into the U.S. market. The U.S. Navy plans to procure 145 to 220 advanced trainers by the second half of 2025 and 64 to 132 tactical trainers by 2027. The U.S. Air Force also plans to procure 128 to 244 tactical trainers, targeting a contract in 2026. The T-50 is being mentioned as a strong candidate for the next-generation trainer for both the U.S. Navy and Air Force. Based on a demand of 500 units in the U.S., additional exports to Western countries, the Middle East, and Africa are expected, forming a market of over 1,000 units.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the FA-50 ranked third in the global market for combat-capable aircraft delivery prospects since 2022. Amid Russia’s decline, South Korea has advanced, holding a market share of 6%, following the United States (1,370 units) and France (210 units). Experts predict that if the FA-50 enters the U.S. market, it will command over 50% market dominance in the overseas advanced trainer and light fighter markets.