Hyunho Ahn made the statement after Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed a contract for the purchase of South Korean weapons for the Polish armed forces, including 48 FA-50 light fighter aircraft.
The South Korean executive welcomed the deal, saying: “It is our biggest-ever export contract; Poland will become the first European country to use the FA-50.”
“I can promise that the fighter jets will be delivered on schedule and will be of the highest quality,” he added in an interview with Polish state news agency PAP.
'Strategic partnership'
Hyunho Ahn went on to say: “I regard this contract as the beginning of a strategic partnership between KAI and the South Korean and Polish governments.”
He added that Korea Aerospace Industries was ready to help strengthen the Polish air force and contribute to the development of the Polish aviation industry.
Poland to become European MRO hub for FA-50s?
According to Hyunho Ahn, Poland could become “an MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) hub for all future European users of the FA-50.”
He said that Korea Aerospace Industries could build an international aviation training centre in Poland.
Meanwhile, parts for the FA-50 fighter jets could also be manufactured in Poland, he told the PAP news agency.
48 FA-50s for Poland
A first batch of 12 FA-50s is due to be delivered to Poland in mid-2023, officials said on Wednesday.
Poland's Błaszczak told reporters that South Korean weaponry would strengthen the Polish army amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
Wednesday was day 154 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, wnp.pl