KUNOVICE, CZECH REPUBLIC – In a significant boost for the European light aircraft industry, Czech manufacturer BRM Aero has been selected by the South Korean Ministry of National Defense to provide the primary training fleet for its future pilots.

The three-year contract, awarded by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), will see the Kunovice-based firm deliver more than 20 Bristell B23-915 IFR aircraft and several high-fidelity flight simulators to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).

The tender, which commenced in early 2025, was fiercely contested. BRM Aero emerged victorious against 14 international competitors, including established industry titans such as Cessna, Cirrus, and Piper from the United States, Italy’s Tecnam, and Germany’s Grob.

Notably, the BRM Aero fleet will replace the KC-100 aircraft previously supplied by domestic South Korean aerospace giant KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries).

The selection process was rigorous, involving extensive flight testing conducted by ROKAF officials at BRM Aero's facility in the Czech Republic. Key factors in the decision included:

• Operational Efficiency: The B23 boasts significantly lower flight-hour costs (estimated between €200 and €400).
• Cerification: Full EASA and FAA certification for night and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations.
• Modern Avionics: Integration of the latest Garmin glass cockpit technology and reliable Rotax engines.

A Strategic Foothold in Asia

The deal, valued at over half a billion Czech koruna (approx. AU$33 million), represents the largest single contract in the company’s history. However, it may only be the beginning of their South Korean expansion.

"The B23 essentially pays for itself after training just ten pilots," says Martin Bříštěla, CEO and co-founder of BRM Aero. "This efficiency, combined with our technical specifications, was the catalyst for our success."

BRM Aero has already established a local ecosystem to support the fleet, partnering with Hansung Industrial for maintenance and the Kyungwoon University in Seoul. Industry insiders suggest these partnerships could lead to follow-on orders of up to 70 additional aircraft for civil and academic use.

The Pilot Pipeline

The Bristell B23 will serve as the "ab initio" (first phase) trainer for South Korean cadets. After completing 40 hours of basic flight training in the Czech-made aircraft, students will graduate to the larger KT-1 Woongbi turboprop and eventually the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic jet.

From Garage Startup to Global Player

Founded in 2009, BRM Aero has rapidly scaled from a small workshop to the largest light aircraft manufacturer in the Czech Republic and the sixth-largest in Europe.

While the company produces over 110 aircraft annually for private flight schools across Europe and the US, this military contract signals a shift toward high-stakes institutional markets. The firm is also looking toward the future of sustainable aviation, currently co-developing the B23 Energic—an all-electric trainer—with Swiss firm H55.

Source: https://hn.cz
Author: CzechTrade Sydney