KAI discusses space and aviation cooperation with Saudi Minister of Investment

"Vision 2030" Expansion of Linkages Sought

[USER PARABOLAㅣHwang Ji-hyang, reporter] Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on the 13th that it held a meeting with the Saudi Investment Authority at the 'WDS 2026' international defense industry exhibition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and discussed cooperation plans in future industries such as space, satellites, communications, and aviation.

At the meeting held on the 10th (local time), Choi Jae-bong, CEO of KAI, and Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, attended. The two sides focused on reviewing cooperation plans that can be linked to Saudi Arabia's national development strategy "Vision 2030."

The Saudi Investment Authority is a ministry responsible for attracting foreign investment and overseeing strategic industrial projects, and it plays a role in coordinating the industrial diversification policy and major national projects.

KAI continues to steadily expand cooperation in the space and aviation fields with Saudi Arabia. In October 2023, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) in Riyadh to establish a mutual cooperation relationship in the space field, and has been advancing technology development, joint commercialization, and startup investments. During this exhibition, KAI also reaffirmed its cooperation relationship with the Saudi Space Agency through a separate meeting.

Chairman Chae Jae-bong said, "Saudi Arabia could become a strategic partner for the overseas expansion of K-Defense and K-Space," and added, "we will prepare the optimal proposal to expand cooperation in the space and aviation sectors in conjunction with Saudi Vision 2030."

KAI is establishing the first private space center in 2020, and is promoting mass production and export business of satellites based on various satellite platforms such as next-generation medium-sized satellites, 6G communication satellites, and micro satellites.

KAI is leading the development of government satellites, including the multipurpose satellite, geostationary composite satellite, next-generation medium-sized satellite, microsatellite, and 425 satellite. The next-generation medium-sized satellite No. 2 and No. 4, which KAI is leading in development, are scheduled for launch this year.

hyang@tf.co.kr