S. Korean-made trainers to be supplied to Senegalese air force

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) said Wednesday that it will export its basic trainer to Senegal, the first such deal in the African market.

"We decided on Friday to supply four KT-1 basic trainers to the Senegalese air force," KAI, the country's sole aircraft manufacturer, said in a notice released late Tuesday.

The export will increase the accumulated number of the propeller-driven trainers shipped abroad to 81 as it has already sold 17 to Indonesia, 40 to Turkey and 20 to Peru.

"Talks between South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall in Seoul last September were instrumental in striking the deal," said a KAI official, adding that it is expected to have positive effect on KAI's future efforts to win additional deals in other African nations.

Based in Sacheon, 437 kilometers southeast of Seoul, KAI also produces the T-50 supersonic trainer and Surion utility helicopter.
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