SEOUL - In a significant development aimed at bolstering its aerospace export capabilities, South Korea announced on Wednesday an agreement with Colombia for mutual recognition of military aircraft airworthiness certifications. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) detailed the signing of the accord with Colombia's Aerospace Force, which facilitates both nations to accept each other's airworthiness certifications for domestically produced military planes. Airworthiness certification is crucial for ensuring an aircraft's suitability for safe flight.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this marks South Korea's inaugural mutual airworthiness agreement with a South American nation, adding to its existing agreements with countries including the United States, Spain, France, Australia, and Poland. The deal is expected to enhance Seoul's position in competing for Colombia's project to upgrade its fleet of light attack aircraft. Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., the country's only jet manufacturer, aims to expand its export footprint for the FA-50 light attack aircraft, having already secured contracts with Poland, Malaysia, and other nations. DAPA also disclosed plans to pursue additional mutual military airworthiness certification agreements with countries across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.