KOTRA headquarters in Seoul / Yonhap
A senior delegation from GE Aerospace arrived in Korea this week, signaling a renewed push to deepen ties with local suppliers as global aviation and defense supply chains undergo rapid change.
The state-run Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said it hosted “KOTRA x GE Aerospace Day” earlier this week at the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, bringing together 23 Korean aerospace and defense firms for briefings and one-on-one export consultations.
The visit comes as the industry pivots toward unmanned systems and integrated manned-unmanned operations, with software-driven capabilities — including artificial intelligence (AI)-based mission systems and modular architectures — emerging as critical competitive edges.
During a morning session, GE Aerospace outlined demand across key areas, including avionics, power systems, engines, additive manufacturing and aerospace communication technologies. In the afternoon, nine prescreened Korean firms took part in targeted business meetings following technical evaluations.
KOTRA said it plans to build a structured cooperation pipeline with GE Aerospace, supporting Korean firms from demand discovery and consultations to on-site inspections and follow-up assistance, with the goal of helping them enter global supply chains.
A GE Aerospace official said the company has supported Korea’s aviation industry for more than 50 years with proven engine technologies and experience, adding that it has worked closely with local companies, particularly in military aircraft programs.
KOTRA said the acceleration of AI-driven aerospace innovation marks a turning point for Korean firms, adding that the agency will support their efforts to become key partners in the global supply chain.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
