SOUTH KOREA HAS asked British Aerospace, Daimler-Benz Aerospace of Germany and Dassault Aviation of France, to submit proposals for the joint development of its planned KTX-II advanced jet trainer/ light-combat aircraft.
South Korea is looking for an overseas risk-sharing partner to assist Samsung with the design and engineering of the KTX-II. It is understood that the proposed aircraft would be a new development, rather than a derivative of an existing trainer such as the BAe Hawk.
The rival European manufacturers were expected to make their submissions to Korea's Agency for Defence Development (ADD) by early this month. A partner needs to be selected before the end of the year, to meet the ADD's planned development timetable.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defence (MND) is trying in the meantime to secure initial development funding in the next defence budget, starting in January 1996. According to local defence sources, the MND is aiming for a total budget of $3 billion.
To encourage foreign investment in the project, the Republic of South Korean Air Force (RoKAF) is proposing buying up to 200 aircraft as replacements for its Northrop F-5B/Fs. The ADD hopes to fly the first KTX-II production prototype in the year 2002.
Lockheed Martin is already lending preliminary design assistance to ADD and Samsung as part of the company's commitment to provide industrial offsets for the purchase of 120 F-16s under the Korean Fighter Programme. CASA of Spain has also held discussion on co-operation with Korea (Flight International, 19-25 October, 1994).
The US manufacturer however, has played down South Korean press reports, so that it will widen cooperation and take a 20% stake, in the KTX-II programme.
An industry source suggests that South Korea's approach to European manufactures may be intended to force Lockheed to commit to full-scale development of the aircraft.
Other observers consider South Korea's discussions with Europe to be more serious. The South Korean Government is keen to diversify its supply of weapons, instead of relying solely on the USA and, at the same time, develop the country's aerospace capabilities.
The RoKAF has taken delivery of 20 Hawk Mk67s and is looking for additional trainers as an interim measure until the KTX-II is ready to enter service.
Options under consideration include acquiring a second batch of Hawks, modifying its two-seat F-5s, or leasing Northrop T-38 trainers from the US Air Force.
Source: Flight International
