Tag: ROK Air Force

ROK Air Force Begins Fielding Taurus Missiles

| December 14, 2016

According to the article the ROK has bought these missiles for the explicit purpose of targeting North Korean regime leadership:

South Korea is a step closer to being the first Asian country to deploy air-to-surface missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometers.

The Air Force said Monday some 40 German-made Taurus missiles have arrived in South Korea and are being inspected at the K2 Air Base in Daegu.

Once they pass inspections, the missiles are set to be deployed on F-15K fighter jets within the year.  [KBS World Radio]

You can read more at the link.

US Vows to Assist ROK In Development of New Fighter Jet

| December 3, 2015

Here is the latest on South Korea’s efforts to develop a new fighter jet:

The State Department said Tuesday, amid skepticism over the project’s prospects following the U.S.’ refusal to hand over core technologies.

The department has denied export licenses for the four technologies conditionally promised last year to be transferred by U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, citing its national technology protection policy. The four are critical in crafting integrated systems for an active electronically scanned array radar, electro optical targeting pod, infrared search-and-track and radio frequency jammer.

Instead, the two countries’ defense ministers agreed last October to set up a working group to boost cooperation to facilitate the 18.1 trillion won ($15.55 billion) program, nicknamed KF-X or Boramae. South Korea hopes to unveil its first KF-16-class warplanes by 2025 and deploy 120 units by 2032.

“The U.S. continues to support the Republic of Korea’s defense programs and priorities through the transfer of many of our most sensitive defense technologies. We seek to support the KF-X indigenous fighter program to the maximum extent possible,” department spokesperson Katina Adams told Yonhap News.

“The U.S. government is in discussions with Lockheed Martin to address ROK areas of concern. We will continue to work closely with Lockheed Martin throughout this process to ensure continued support to the KF-X program.”  [Korea Herald]

You can read the rest at the link, but I am sure Lockheed Martin would love to sell South Korea some Joint Strike Fighters instead.

Defense Secretary Reaffirms Ban on Fighter Jet Technology Transfer to South Korea

| October 19, 2015

Despite their best efforts it looks like the ROK will not be receiving the technology transfer they requested any time soon:

korea us flag image

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter refused Thursday to accept South Korea’s request for the transfer of key American technologies necessary for Seoul’s “KF-X” indigenous jet fighter development project, officials said.

Carter stated the position when South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo asked him to reconsider the decision to reject the technology transfer during a meeting at the Pentagon, the South’s Defense Ministry said in a statement. Han has been in Washington to accompany President Park Geun-hye on an official visit.

Carter said, however, that he would study ways of technological cooperation, the statement said. The two ministers also agreed to establish a consultative forum to discuss ways to increase cooperation in defense technology, including the KF-X project, it said.

The Korean Fighter Experimental (KF-X) project, under which South Korea is to produce 120 combat jets, hit a snag after the U.S. Department of State in April refused to grant permission for U.S.-based Lockheed Martin’s export of four out of the 25 fighter jet technologies it has promised Seoul. [Korea Times]

You can read the rest at the link.

South Korea Announces $2.5 Billion Plan to Upgrade F-16 Fighter Fleet

| July 23, 2015

It looks like South Korea’s F-16s are about to get some further upgrade work done:

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $2.5 billion sale in F-16 upgrades to South Korea as part of Seoul’s effort to revamp its aging fighter fleet.

The sale, announced this week, would contribute to the security of both the U.S. and South Korea, which faces an ever-present threat of hostilities from North Korea, said the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

“This upgrade allows (South Korea) to protect and maintain critical airspace and provide a powerful defensive and offensive capability to preserve the security of the Korean peninsula and its vital national assets. (South Korea) will have no difficulty absorbing this additional equipment and support into its armed forces,” said a statement from the agency, which notified Congress of the possible sale on Tuesday.

The upgrades would include modular mission computers, radars, navigation systems and other equipment and logistical support, according to DSCA.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link.