KAI Targets Global Helicopter Market at Verticon 2026

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 12th that it held a joint exhibition with aviation services company United Aero Group (UAG) at Verticon 2026, the world's largest rotorcraft aviation industry exhibition, on the 10th (local time).

Verticon 2026 is being held in Atlanta, USA from the 10th to the 12th of this month. It is the world's largest helicopter industry exhibition, bringing together rotorcraft aviation industry professionals, major helicopter manufacturers, operators, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies from around the world.

UAG is an aviation specialist headquartered in Florida, USA, engaged in helicopter MRO, parts sales, and helicopter leasing. Last year, the company purchased Light Civil Helicopters (LCH) manufactured by KAI. At the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 held last year, UAG also signed a strategic partnership with KAI for global market expansion.

At this exhibition, KAI is displaying military and government derivative helicopter models, centering on the Surion firefighting helicopter. The company also plans to introduce the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) platform and the Light Armed Utility Helicopter (LAUH) derivative concept based on it to the global market.

KAI plans to create various business opportunities with UAG, global helicopter operators, government officials, and aviation industry professionals. The company also aims to establish a practical foothold for entering overseas civilian markets by leveraging MRO capabilities to expand maintenance and supply systems for domestic helicopter exports and jointly pursue overseas civil airworthiness certification procedures.

A KAI official said, "This exhibition is an important opportunity to showcase KAI's technology and platform scalability in the global rotorcraft market," adding, "Through cooperation with UAG, we plan to expand various business opportunities in global markets including North America."