Seoul: Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Co. announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. This agreement aims to expand their strategic collaboration into emerging sectors of global defense and aerospace industries.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the MOU was signed on Tuesday at the 2025 Paris Air Show, held at Paris-Le Bourget Airport in France. The agreement is focused on strengthening existing collaborative programs and broadening joint efforts in advanced technology development, exploring new business opportunities, and expanding market reach.

Under the new agreement, KAI and Lockheed Martin will enhance cooperation in areas such as joint technology development, defense exports, and new market exploration. The future collaboration will focus on advanced rotorcraft, unmanned systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered autonomous platforms.

KAI and Lockheed Martin have maintained a longstanding partnership, starting with the licensed production of the F-16 fighter jet in the 1990s and later co-developing the T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft.

Kang Goo-young, CEO of KAI, stated, "The expansion of our partnership with Lockheed Martin is a major step forward in strengthening our cooperation not only in the U.S., but also across other allied nations. We look forward to jointly advancing future technologies and broadening our global capabilities."