How much of KAI does Hanwha Group own after the latest purchase?

Hanwha Group's combined stake in Korea Aerospace Industries reached 15.89 percent after Hanwha Systems bought an additional 3.45 percent stake. That total includes the 9.9 percent held by Hanwha Aerospace.

When will the FTC review Hanwha's KAI stake again?

The watchdog said it would conduct another merger review if Hanwha becomes KAI's largest shareholder or if Hanwha executives simultaneously account for at least one-third of KAI's executives. Those were the two conditions it cited for a future review.

Fair trade watchdog approves Hanwha's acquisition of additional KAI stakes

Q: Why did the FTC approve Hanwha Group's additional KAI stake purchase?

The FTC said Hanwha Group's 15.89 percent stake was not enough to exercise substantial influence over KAI's overall management. It said the current ownership level did not yet trigger that level of control.

Listen

Summary

Korea's fair trade watchdog on Monday approved Hanwha Group's recent acquisition of additional stakes in Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI). The FTC said Hanwha Group's combined 15.89 percent stake was not enough to exercise substantial influence over KAI's overall management. It added that another merger review would be conducted if Hanwha becomes KAI's largest shareholder or if Hanwha executives make up at least one-third of KAI's executives.

Key Facts

Hanwha Systems recently bought a 3.45 percent stake in KAI, lifting Hanwha Group's combined stake to 15.89 percent with Hanwha Aerospace's 9.9 percent holding.
KAI's largest shareholder is the Export-Import Bank of Korea with a 26.41 percent stake, and the National Pension Service holds 8.75 percent.
The FTC said it would conduct another merger review if Hanwha becomes KAI's largest shareholder or if Hanwha executives account for at least one-third of KAI's executives.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 31, 2026 2:48 pm KST

Hanwha Group headquarters in central Seoul / Courtesy of Hanwha Group

Korea's fair trade watchdog on Monday approved Hanwha Group's recent acquisition of additional stakes in Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI).

The Fair Trade Commission's (FTC) approval came after Hanwha Systems recently purchased a 3.45 percent stake in KAI, raising Hanwha Group's combined stake in the aircraft manufacturer to 15.89 percent, including the 9.9 percent held by Hanwha Aerospace.

"KAI's largest shareholder is the Export-Import Bank of Korea, with a 26.41 percent stake, while the National Pension Service holds 8.75 percent," the FTC said.

"At this stage, we have concluded that Hanwha Group's 15.89 percent stake is not sufficient to exercise substantial influence over KAI's overall management," the watchdog said.

The FTC, however, noted that it would conduct another merger review if Hanwha becomes KAI's largest shareholder, or if Hanwha executives concurrently account for at least one-third of KAI's executives.

KAI, Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer, produces the KF-21 advanced fighter jet, the FA-50 light combat aircraft and its trainer variants, as well as the Surion and Miron helicopters.

Hanwha Group has been steadily increasing its hold on KAI as part of its broader ambition to establish an integrated aerospace and defense ecosystem spanning aircraft, satellites, launch vehicles, ships and other high-tech defense systems.

Explore More