KAI Affirms Strong Strategic Partnership with Iraq, Announces New Defense Cooperation Projects

Seoul – By Mohammed Hameed, the correspondent of (NINA)- A senior executive at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, reaffirmed the depth and strength of the company’s long-standing strategic partnership with Iraq, which has spanned more than a decade.

In an exclusive statement to (NINA) on the sidelines of the ADEX 2025 International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition in Seoul, Seung-Ok, Director of the Business Division at KAI, highlighted key milestones in this cooperation.

He noted that the partnership with Iraq began in 2013 with the delivery of 24 T-50IQ training and combat aircraft, a deal that laid the foundation for bilateral defense relations. The collaboration, he added, has since expanded to include maintenance and upgrade contracts, as well as major infrastructure development projects, most notably the modernization of Al-Suwaira Air Base and the Iraqi Air Force College, which have directly contributed to strengthening the technical and training capabilities of the Iraqi Air Force.

Seung-Ok further revealed that new contracts are currently under implementation for the delivery of advanced KUH-1 Surion attack helicopters, designed to enhance the Iraqi Army’s operational efficiency in fire support and aerial mobility.

He also disclosed that serious studies are underway between Baghdad and Seoul regarding a potential future agreement to supply the state-of-the-art fifth-generation KF-21 fighter jets, as well as unmanned aerial systems (UAVs), marking a significant step toward expanding technological cooperation in the defense sector.

Beyond defense, Seung-Ok emphasized that KAI’s cooperation with Iraq extends to security and civil domains. He mentioned an ongoing contract with Iraq’s Ministry of Interior for the supply of specialized firefighting helicopters, accompanied by a comprehensive training program for Iraqi personnel on operation and maintenance, a move that enhances Iraq’s ability to respond to natural disasters and protect lives and property.

He concluded by affirming that KAI views Iraq as a key strategic partner in the region, committed to a long-term relationship built on technology transfer, capability development, and mutual trust, reflecting a comprehensive partnership oriented toward the future./ End