Korean Aerospace Industries Partners with Lockheed-Martin to Win Fighter Contract Bid
Along with the recent purchase of 40 F-35’s from Lockheed the Koreans are also partnering with them to develop their own domestic fighter:
South Korea on Monday selected Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and partner Lockheed Martin for a multi-billion-dollar contract to develop 120 “indigenous” fighter jets to replace Seoul’s ageing fleet.
The bid from KAI and the US aerospace giant, which is subject to a screening process before being officially approved, was always seen as the favourite for the 8.6 trillion won ($7.8 billion) deal over a rival bid by civilian carrier Korean Air (KAL) teamed with Airbus.
The Defence Ministry also approved a separate $1.28 billion deal to buy Patriot PAC-3 missiles and upgrade its air defence system aimed at intercepting North Korean ballistic missiles.
The KF-X fighter project is designed to develop and produce 120 fighter jets of a new, indigenous type to replace South Korea’s ageing fleet of F-4s and F-5s. [AFP]
You can read more at the link.
KAI and Lockheed Martin are selling T-50 trainer jets to Thailand:
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2015/09/21/Thailand-orders-Korean-trainer-aircraft/7451442804956/
No exactly top line fighters, but nothing to sneeze at either. China is getting pushy in Southeast Asia, looks like some might be getting ready to push back.
Not many individual Asian countries can take on China single-handidly, but a group might be able to, if they work together.