SOUTH KOREA IS negotiating a barter-trade deal, with Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN), for up to 14 Indonesian-built CN-235 transports.
Discussions focus on the supply of an initial eight CN-235 turboprops, with a follow-on purchase of a further six aircraft. The South Korean air force requires the first aircraft to enter service before the end of 1997.
South Korea wants to fund about 50% of the deal, worth about $100 million, through counter trade. In exchange for the aircraft, it is offering to supply an undisclosed number of Korean-built armoured personnel carriers (APCs).
The APCs, believed to be Daewoo Heavy Industries-produced South Korean infantry fighting vehicles (KIFV), would then be sold on to the Indonesian military. The army is in the middle of an armour upgrade, but it is unclear whether it has a need for the KIFV.
The new aircraft are needed to supplement 12 CASA CN.235M transports in service. IPTN is proposing its improved CN-235-220 version, fitted with up-rated General Electric CT7-9 engines and composite-material engine cowling, wing leading edge, wing-box fairing, landing-gear sponson and rudder.
Source: Flight International
