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| A model of one possible KFX design (File Photo) |
By Tae-jun Kang
Korean Air and Airbus have reportedly agreed on a joint bid to develop South Korea’s new generation of fighter jets.
South Korea’s top carrier airline Korean Air Lines Co. (Korean Air) is poised to participate in a bid for South Korea’s fighter jet development program in association with Europe’s Airbus. Under the development program, code-named KF-X, South Korea will develop and produce about 120 fighter jets to replace its old models.
An informed official told several Korean media outlets, including Segye Ilbo, that Korean Air and Airbus reached a verbal agreement earlier this week to jointly bid for the development project.
The official’s comment was given anonymously, but it immediately brought media attention as the news is expected to open a new chapter for the government’s development plan. So far, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has been considered the strongest candidate for winning this project.
Korean Air has been preparing to participate in the KF-X project since last year, when it organized a task force. However, there were doubts over whether Korean Air could compete with KAI, which has the benefit of previous experience developing the T-50 fighter jet. But with a joint bid, Airbus would be able to assist Korean Airlines on technical issues.
Read the full story at The Diplomat