South Korea and the United Arab Emirates yesterday signed a series of memoranda of understanding (MoU) on industrial cooperation, including one that provides for the joint development of a next-generation multi-mission cargo aircraft, based on Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) MC-X project.
The MoU for the co-development of the multirole transport aircraft was signed between Tareq Al Hosani, secretary general of the Tawazun Council, and Kang Gu-young, representative of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). According to available information, the project will receive funding of $3.2 billion.
MC-X, a military transport aircraft
The Multi-mission Cargo eXperimental (MC-X) project, carried out by KAI, is the development of a multirole military cargo and transport aircraft to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) aging C-130 Hercules type aircraft and for export.
The MC-X will have a configuration similar to that of the Brazilian Embraer KC-390. According to published characteristics, the aircraft will be about 40.3 m long, 13.5 m high and 41.1 m wingspan-with a maximum takeoff weight of 92,000 kg and a payload capacity of up to 30,000 kg. It will be equipped with 30,000-lb turbofan engines, which are expected to deliver a top speed of 926 km/h and a cruising range of 7,000 km.
KAI began work on the aircraft alone, estimating a development time of between 7 and 8 years, with series production likely to begin between 2031 and 2032. With the UAE joining the project and its large financing capacity, it is possible that these dates could be brought forward by a couple of years.
Deepening defense ties
There was also a memorandum of understanding signed between Tareq Abdul Raheem al Hosani, secretary general of the Tawazun Council, with Eom Dong-hwan, Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), on strategic cooperation for the defense industry.
The two sides pledge to continue their joint investment, research and technology development efforts to further develop bilateral cooperation in the arms industry. While no specific information was provided on the scope of the Defense MoU, it is expected to include discussions on air and missile defense systems, and probably the possibility of the UAE becoming a potential buyer (or late partner) of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, as an alternative to the US F-35.
