Hanwha Aerospace has signed a new supply agreement with GE Aerospace to acquire engine kits for South Korea’s locally developed fighter jets and utility helicopters. The deal marks another milestone in the country’s drive to strengthen its defense manufacturing ecosystem and reduce reliance on imported finished components.
Under the agreement, Hanwha will purchase 40 F404 engine kits to power the FA-50 Golden Eagle, its trainer and light combat variants, TA-50 and T-50. Additionally, the company will acquire 88 T700 engine kits for the KUH-1 Surion helicopter fleet, which serves both military and civil operations in South Korea.
GE Aerospace will be responsible for manufacturing the core engine components, while Hanwha Aerospace will assemble, test, and integrate the systems domestically before delivering the finished packages to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for installation. This collaboration enhances local industrial participation and builds self-sustaining maintenance capabilities for future aircraft programs.
The F404 engine, with over 13 million flight hours, is renowned for reliability and ease of maintenance, powering aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet and India’s Tejas fighter. The T700 engine, with a global record exceeding 100 million flight hours, is a proven workhorse for helicopters such as the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache, ensuring robust performance for the Surion fleet.
