Korea Aerospace Industries
South Korea's primary aircraft and aerospace manufacturer, making military jets, helicopters, satellites, and launch
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) designs, develops, and manufactures fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites, and space launch vehicles, with aerostructure production and MRO services rounding out the business. Its military products include the KT-1 basic trainer, the T-50 advanced jet trainer, the FA-50 light combat aircraft, the KUH-1 utility helicopter, and the RQ-101 UAV. On the space side, KAI participates in Korean multi-purpose satellite programs and the Korea Space Launch Vehicle. The company was formed in 1999 when the South Korean government consolidated the aerospace divisions of Daewoo Heavy Industries, Samsung Aerospace, and Hyundai Space and Aircraft in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. It is headquartered in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, and trades on the Korea Exchange.