KAI to Undertake Indonesian Air Force KT-1B Life Extension Programme

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) recently announced the inking of a US$64 million contract to undertake an “Airframe Life Extension Project” for Indonesian Air Force KT-1B basic trainer aircraft.

The KT-1B is the Indonesian export version of KAI’s KT-1 basic trainer.

“We have succeeded in commercializing follow-up support and performance improvement beyond the delivery of aircraft,” said KAI President Kang Gu-young. He added, “In the future, we expect to expand the market through various platforms operated by domestic and foreign customers, such as not only the KT-1 but also the T-50 series and Surion.”

The Indonesian KT-1B airframe life extension effort will be undertaken locally in the country, with local companies such as PTDI and support from KAI.

“The scope of this project includes disassembling and inspecting the aircraft operated by the customer and diagnosing its exact lifespan,” the Korean airframer said in a release.

As per KAI, there will be an approximately 150% increase in the KT-1Bs airframe life on completion of the life extension programme.

Indonesia was the first export customer for the KT-1B, ordered the type in 2003, eventually acquiring 20 aircraft.

KAI has exported a total of 84 KT-1 basic trainers to Indonesia, Turkey, Peru and Senegal.