Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has taken a significant step forward in South Korea’s indigenous fighter jet program, the KF-21 Boramae, by forging a partnership with Peru. On November 16, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with SEMAN, Peru’s state-owned aerospace company.
Korea-Peru Summit Seals the Deal
The agreement was formalized during the Korea-Peru Summit in Lima, Peru’s capital. The signing ceremony was attended by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, and senior officials from both nations. KAI President Kang Goo-young and SEMAN President Jaime Rodriguez (an Air Force Major General) signed the document.
Boosting Peru’s Domestic Aerospace Industry
Previously, in 2012, Peru purchased 20 KT-1P basic trainer aircraft from South Korea, assembling 16 of them locally at SEMAN facilities to support its domestic aerospace industry. The new agreement outlines broader collaboration, including joint production of components for KF-21 fighter jets if Peru adopts the platform.
Peru’s Quest for Next-Generation Fighters
Peru is seeking to replace its aging fleet of Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft with modern fighter jets. In this context, KAI has made a comprehensive offer to Peru, featuring the FA-50 light combat aircraft and the KF-21 Boramae.
KAI President Kang Goo-young emphasized the importance of the deal, stating:
“If Peru selects both the KF-21 and FA-50, it will become the first country to operate KAI’s main fighter jets. Additionally, we aim to establish Peru as a production hub to target other Latin American nations.”
KAI’s Vision for Latin America
This agreement marks a pivotal step in KAI’s strategy to expand its indigenous aircraft portfolio into the Latin American market. Should the partnership with Peru succeed, the KF-21 Boramae could become an attractive option for other nations in the region.
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