Morocco Engages with South Korean Aerospace Industry at KAI Day
On October 23, 2026, the South Korean aerospace manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) opened its assembly lines in Sacheon, South Korea, to Moroccan representatives as part of its international promotion day dubbed "KAI Day." This event saw the participation of delegations from 14 countries, including Morocco, the United States, the Philippines, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, and Romania. Approximately 80 foreign representatives toured the company's facilities, gaining close insights into a range of aircraft, including the light fighter FA-50, the KF-21 Boramae fighter, the amphibious attack helicopter MAH, and the light armed helicopter LAH.
During the event, KAI dedicated significant time to showcasing its advanced drone systems, including the combat unmanned aerial vehicle MUCCA, the multi-role drone AAP, the air-launched drone ALE, and the miniature loitering munition CMMAV. The company aims to tap into new export markets for these systems among participating nations.
The event also featured officials from the South Korean Air Force and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), along with teams from the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and the Defense Technology Quality Agency (DTaQ). Additionally, representatives from American, French, and British companies, including Northrop Grumman, Safran, and Rolls-Royce, attended the event, indicating a broad interest in international defense cooperation.
KAI Day coincided with the Sacheon Aerospace Exhibition, organized in collaboration with the South Korean Air Force, South Gyeongsang Province, and Sacheon City, running from October 22 to 25. The exhibition featured the International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (GADEX), showcasing 124 companies from 22 different countries.
At the event, KAI unveiled its Future Air Combat System (NACS), which integrates manned and unmanned aircraft within an AI-driven coordination system, reflecting the company's commitment to the future of aerial combat innovation.
Industrial Agreement Signed in Marrakech
A Moroccan delegation led by the Minister of Defense met with KAI officials during the World Defense Expo 2026 in Saudi Arabia, where a model of the light fighter FA-50 was presented to the Moroccan minister, with the KF-21 fighter showcased in the background. This visit to Sacheon came just two weeks after KAI's participation in the Marrakech Air Show, held from October 7 to 10, where it was the only South Korean company present. KAI dedicated a booth to the FA-50 in its efforts to secure a contract for advanced training aircraft for the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
The company emphasized the multi-role capabilities of the FA-50, which is designed to perform advanced pilot training tasks while also executing light combat missions. During the Marrakech Air Show, KAI signed a memorandum of understanding with two Moroccan companies specializing in aircraft maintenance, namely "Maintenance Aero Maroc" and "Sabca Maroc," aiming to establish industrial cooperation related to the T-50 family of aircraft for the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
The three entities believe this agreement opens the door for "new discussions and potential collaborations" to support Morocco's aviation and defense industry. Kim Young-min, the commercial activities director at KAI, described the Marrakech Air Show as an "ideal opportunity" to showcase the capabilities and operational record of the FA-50 to potential customers in Morocco and across Africa.
Throughout the exhibition, KAI's teams intensified their meetings with government and military officials from Morocco, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the strategic focus on enhancing defense partnerships.
Modernizing the Moroccan Air Force
The Royal Moroccan Air Force is looking to modernize its fleet of training and light attack aircraft, particularly the French-German Alpha Jet, which has been in service since the late 1970s, alongside its fleet of light F-5 fighters. The introduction of a mixed fleet of FA-50 and T-50 aircraft could potentially replace both types of aircraft currently in use. The FA-50 is a combat variant derived from the T-50 training aircraft, developed in collaboration with American company Lockheed Martin, and shares many systems with F-16 fighters, which form the backbone of Morocco's combat air power.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force is also awaiting the delivery of 25 F-16 Block 72 fighters to join the 23 F-16 Block 52 fighters currently in service. During the Marrakech Air Show, Lockheed Martin announced the completion of the first flight of the new fighter model designated for Morocco, which recently emerged from the company’s production line in Greenville, South Carolina.
In line with its fleet modernization efforts, the Royal Moroccan Air Force has also recently received AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from Boeing and C295 tactical transport aircraft from Airbus, further enhancing its operational capabilities.
As reported by defense-arabic.com.
