Korea Aerospace Industries

Korea Aerospace Industries, known as KAI, is a South Korean aerospace and defense manufacturer headquartered in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. It was originally established as a joint venture combining the aerospace divisions of Daewoo Heavy Industries, Samsung Aerospace and Hyundai Space and Aircraft, becoming more independent of its founding members in 1999 at the South Korean government's direction after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. KAI has developed the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II and various satellites, produced foreign-designed aircraft under license, and developed its own aircraft including the KT-1 Woongbi and T-50 Golden Eagle trainers and the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter.