By It makes me wonder with North Korea’s antiquated air defense systems if stealth capabilities are really needed for the ROK Air Force or does this announcement have more to do with keeping up with the Jones (ie-China & Japan)?:
The Defense Ministry officially announced plans to purchase stealth bombers capable of avoiding radar detection to counter the threat of North Korea’s so-called asymmetrical warfare capabilities.
Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin told reporters on Tuesday the ministry will push for a stealth fighter acquisition project as part of the ongoing F-X fighter program.
The third phase of the F-X program envisages buying 60 high-performance fighters such as the F-15K from the U.S. from around 2015. The Air Force wanted the third phase to start this year, but budget pressure and Cheong Wa Dae’s resistance to hasty implementation of an acquisition program worth trillions of won have led to delays. [Chosun Ilbo]
Read the rest at the link, but the Blue House is saying that the stealth capability would allow the South Korean military to launch its own independent strikes against North Korea without US assistance.
1:08 pm on April 12th, 2011 1
When Korean decides on these these purchases they are also looking for opportunities for technology transfer. Take a look at those T-50 trainers Korea recently sold to Indonesia. Some the the F-16's structural design knowledge Korea acquires likely contributed to the development of those aircraft.
If Korea receives stealth aircraft in the next 5 years expect them to be selling stealth based aircraft in 15 years.
2:26 pm on April 12th, 2011 2
"does this announcement have more to do with keeping up with the Jones (ie-China & Japan)?"
Nope, it's all about funneling our taxes in the pockets of corporations.
2:29 pm on April 12th, 2011 3
#2,
For export? No. The expense of procuring and developing the technology far outweighs the realistic commercial gain. I stand by my assessment in number 2.
2:30 pm on April 12th, 2011 4
…Keeping up with the Jones and developing homegrown technology for export are simply the means they tax payers to agree with the scheme.
2:32 pm on April 12th, 2011 5
…Or rather, the stories they tell the tax payers.
3:22 pm on April 12th, 2011 6
The South Koreans will achieve four goals:
1. Keep up with the Joneses.
2. Increase their superiority over North Korea.
3. Become more independent of the United States.
4. Enrich their defense contractors.
8:27 pm on April 12th, 2011 7
#6,
Yes, but the prime object is to enrich contractors. It always is about money.
9:33 pm on April 12th, 2011 8
I am always amazed at the wares they pimp out during the air shows. Far more advanced then I thought they had.
3:48 am on April 13th, 2011 9
#1
T50 trainer was built with active participation by Lockheed Martin. Of course they were paid for it.
#6
Which defense contractors are you talking about?
#8
Which air shows are you talking about? In Korea?
1:17 pm on April 13th, 2011 10
Making money is bad.
8:11 am on April 16th, 2011 11
John 9, good point. They'll be enriching our defense contractors. Sweet.
9:29 am on April 16th, 2011 12
"John 9, good point. They’ll be enriching our defense contractors. Sweet."
I can't help but wonder if the U.S. in selling it's most important and advanced technologies, is exposing itself to future problems. The technology that has kept the country far ahead of all other countries with regard to fighting capacity. Does this make sense?
Let the Koreans generate the technology themselves. Are they up to the task? As the self-proclaimed people with the highest IQ's in the world, this should not be a problem.