Iraq has signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries for 24 T-50 trainer aircraft, worth over US$1.1 billion. KAI introduced the aircraft to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during his visit to Korea in April 2011; since then, it has been competing with ‘major players’ in the aviation industry — such as the UK, Russia and the Czech Republic — for Iraq’s trainer business.

Ha Sung-yong, president and CEO of KAI, said: “I am thankful to the Iraqi government for purchasing the T-50 aircraft. I think that it is the most suitable aircraft for Iraq’s military operations. It can be operated in a flexible manner, ranging from an advanced trainer to a low-class fighter jet.”