Industry: Cobham Wins KF-X Weapons Carriage & Release Award from KAI

A model of one of several possible KFX designs (File Photo)

Cobham has been awarded a contract in excess of £7M from Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) to provide weapons carriage and release equipment for the future KF-X next-generation indigenous multi-role fighter aircraft.

Cobham Mission Systems will deliver by the year 2020 an undisclosed number of Missile Eject Launcher (MEL) units to KAI for KF-X, which is targeted for entry into service by 2025 to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force’s current F-4 and F-5 fleet.

“Cobham’s MEL is an established market leader and continues to deliver consistently high performance and reliable service,” Ken Kota, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Cobham Mission Systems Wimborne said. “It is a highly robust, long stroke ejection system that allows the interchangeable carriage and release of either Meteor or AMRAAM air-to-air missiles without role change.”

Cobham

News Story: Prosecution widens probe into KAI over suspected accounting fraud

KUH-1 Surion Helicopter

SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Wednesday they have launched an investigation into suspicions of accounting fraud at South Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), with its top executives already under probe for cost manipulation and slush funds.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office began its probe into KAI last month over allegations that some of its top officials manipulated expenses for development projects, including the making of a utility helicopter known as the Surion, to gain illicit profits.

T-50/FA-50 Golden Eagle Trainer/Fighter Aircraft

Now the prosecutors suspect that KAI also overstated the value of proceeds from the sale of a light attack aircraft, FA-50, to Iraq, a deal worth some 3 trillion won (US$2.67 billion), according to prosecutors.

The defense company clinched a deal to supply 24 of the aircraft to the Middle East nation in 2013. The prosecution believes that KAI cooked the books as if it had collected the payment from the Iraqi buyers, when the money was in fact not received due to the geographical tension in the Gulf at that time.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: PAF to get 6 more aircraft

Afghan A-29 Super Tucano Ground-Attack Aircraft

MANILA, Philippines - Six Brazilian-made close-air support aircraft with night flying capabilities will be the latest additions to the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s air muscle.

The acquisition of the six new A-29 Super Tucano aircraft is part of the PAF’s ongoing modernization, which also involves the purchase of more FA50 lead-in trainer fighter jets from South Korea.

After several delays, post qualification inspections of the aircraft are now being done in Brazil. Embraer Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. bagged the P4.9-billion defense contract. The delivery of the aircraft is still being finalized.

The multibillion-peso procurement is sourced from the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Trust Act Fund.

A team has been dispatched to inspect the manufacturer’s facilities and the aircraft.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: 'Surion' chopper to take anti-icing test again

SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will put its "Surion" military helicopter to a formal test again on its anti-icing system within the next several months, the nation's arms agency said Thursday.

The multi-role KUH-1 chopper was once an icon of South Korea's fast-developing defense industry, developed in 2009 by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in partnership with Airbus Helicopters.

But it has become a source of public concern amid a series of reports of flaws including cracks in the airframe and a problem in the gearbox.

The country's Board of Audit and Inspection has questioned the airworthiness of the twin-engine helicopter.

The audit office even cited a water leakage issue, which the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) claimed later has been already resolved.

The DAPA said it's preparing for a test on Surion's anti-icing system in the United States. Surion failed the previous cold-weather test taken in 2015. It failed to meet 29 of the 101 requirements.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Report: South Korea Launches Corruption Investigation Into F-35, KF-X Deals

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning Fighter Aircraft

South Korean officials have opened an investigation into defense acquisition contracts for F-35 and KF-X aircraft pushed for by former President Park Geun-hye, who was sentenced to prison in March for abusing the power of her office, bribery, coercion and leaking classified information.

Defense Acquisition Program Administrator (DAPA) head Chang Myoung-jin has become the subject of a criminal investigation stemming from concerns of negligence and corruption, the Korea Times reported Monday. Chang was tapped by Park for his post shortly before Lockheed Martin and Seoul agreed to the F-35 deal worth at least $7 billion.

South Korea agreed to acquire 40 F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft on September 30, 2014. Washington signed off on the program to help its ally retire a fleet of outdated F-4 and F-5 aircraft.

News Story: Tech transfer - Korea, China score big in exports

K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer

By: Mike Yeo 

MELBOURNE, Australia — Given the region’s relative economic success and its share of the global defense spending pie, it is of little surprise that Asian defense companies are making inroads into the world arms market.

Countries in the region are quietly scoring export successes, none more so than South Korea. The country’s defense manufacturers have taken big strides from their beginnings as local assemblers and suppliers of defense articles to the South Korean military and are now a force to reckon with on the global arms market.

According to the Financial Times, South Korean military exports have soared nearly 1,100 percent since 2009 as the nation’s arms manufacturers thrive off growing global instability and the competitive pricing they can offer their potential customers, which has been a big selling point for South Korean defense equipment, particularly in more price-sensitive markets. An example of this is the Samsung Techwin K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. One of just three tracked 155-millimeter, 52-caliber howitzer systems in the market, the K9 has already found export success with Finland, Estonia, Poland and India all selecting the design for the respective requirements. Finland acquired 48 former South Korean army howitzers earlier this year for a reported $155 million, or $3.2 million a copy.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: S.Korea to push rapid recovery of wartime operational control from U.S.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in

SEOUL, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The new South Korean government under President Moon Jae-in planned to push for a rapid recovery of wartime operational control of South Korean forces from the United States.

It was unveiled on Wednesday in the five-year plan for state management under the new administration, which was inaugurated on May 10, according to the presidential Blue House.

Under the preliminary version of the plan, South Korea would speed up preparations for the transfer of wartime command of its troops from Washington to complete it "within the five-year tenure" of President Moon.

It was altered in the final version into a "rapid transfer" based on the firm South Korea-U.S. alliance. On his campaign trail, Moon pledged an early recovery of its wartime operational control.

The alteration was made under the instruction of President Moon, a Blue House official told reporters.

South Korea handed over its operational command to the U.S. forces after the three-year Korean War broke out in 1950. The country won back its peacetime operational control in 1994.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: S.Korean president vows elimination of defense industry corruption

South Korean President Moon Jae-in

SEOUL, July 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed Monday to eliminate corruption in defense industry, describing such corruption as "an act benefitting the enemy."

"The defense industry corruption is not just a corruption, but an act benefitting the enemy that threatens national security," Moon said during a weekly meeting with his senior secretaries.

Moon said the elimination of the defense corruption was not a matter to determine who is liberal or conservative, but a matter to determine who is patriot or non-patriot, noting that the task could not be delayed any more.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: S. Korea aims to expand arms exports

T-50/FA-50 Golden Eagle

By Lee Chi-dong

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- This year may prove to be a key turning point for South Korea's defense industry, as the country hopes to add arms to the list of its major export items.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a local defense giant, is bidding for the U.S. Air Force's program, called T-X, to replace its aging fleet of 350 T-38 trainer jets, a deal reportedly worth US$16 billion.

KAI is seeking to supply an upgraded version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jet developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin. The two firms formed a consortium for the offer of T-50A amid a fierce battle with the Boeing-Saab team.

The deal is expected to be awarded late this year, representing one of the biggest defense contracts in a decade.

"We are cautiously optimistic," a KAI official said, requesting anonymity. "In particular, our entrant has a competitive edge in price. Its performance has been already proven with more than 200 aircraft in operation."

The two-seat T-50 is currently used for training pilots in South Korea. It has been exported to Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand and the Philippines.

Global experts acknowledged the excellence of the plane itself.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: Thai cabinet OKs air force's planned procurement of aircraft from South Korea

A KAI T-50 Golden Eagle Trainer Aircraft

BANGKOK, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Thai cabinet on Tuesday acknowledged the air force's planned procurement of eight trainer aircraft from South Korea, according to air force spokesman AVM Pongsak Semachai.

During a weekly cabinet meeting at Government House chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the planned purchase of the second batch of T-50TH jet trainers was acknowledged by the cabinet.

Those South Korean trainer aircraft are to be procured at a combined cost of 8.8 billion baht (about 258 million U.S. dollars), which is to be paid on three-year instalment basis, AVM Pongsak said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Cracks found on Surion military helicopter's airframe - arms agency

A KAI built Surion Helicopter

SEOUL, June 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Army has resumed the operation of more than 60 Surion multiple-purpose choppers after grounding them for nearly three weeks for new cracks found on the airframe, a state arms procurement agency said Thursday.

The Army's central joint technology committee made the decision earlier this week to permit the continued service of the indigenous rotorcraft in accordance with its analysis of the cause and flight stability, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

It belatedly revealed that cracks, 1.2-1.5 centimeters long, were discovered on the upper-left side of the fuselage of eight Surions on May 24. Two weeks later, the Army grounded all of its Surions.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: S. Korea begins prototype production of light armed chopper

Korean LAH developmental mock-up (File Photo)

SEOUL, June 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Tuesday it has started to assemble the first prototype of a light armed helicopter (LAH) with the goal of conducting a test flight in 2019.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the country's arms procurement agency, launched the development project in June 2015 to replace the aging 500MD and AH-1S choppers in partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

A preliminary design was completed in August last year and the production of prototype components began in November, according to DAPA.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: Air Force receives 2 more fighter jets from Korea

An FA-50PH (File Photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Two more FA-50PH fighter jets from South Korea arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday. 

The fourth batch of planes, which arrived on Wednesday, brings its total number of fighter jets to eight. 

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) received the new air assets, with tail numbers 007 and 008, at the Haribon Hangar, Air Force City at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

The two jets are part of the 12 supersonic trainers bought for P18.9 billion in 2014 by the Aquino administration from South Korean defense contractor Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), under the military's modernization program.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: KAI picks Triumph Group for KF-X airframe component

A model of one of several possible KFX designs

by Ryan Maass

Korea Aerospace Industries has selected Triumph Group to provide Airframe Mounted Accessory Drives for its developing KF-X fighter project.

The KF-X program is a joint effort between the governments of South Korea and Indonesia to produce a new air supremacy jet. To support the development, Triumph will design and produce the AMADs, which will allow the aircraft to receive and distribute engine power to generators, pumps and other systems.

"We are pleased to support the KF-X fighter program, which will replace the aging Korean fleet of F-4s and F-5s, as well as equip the Indonesian air force," Triumph Integrated Systems vice president Tom Holzthum said in a press release. "This win will allow Triumph to showcase the extensive capability and experience of our Geared Solutions business."

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Story: PAF positioned to procure 36 more FA-50s, 12 Leonardo AW109 helicopters

Philippines Air Force (PAF) FA-50 Fighter Aircraft

As a continuation of Philippine Air Force’ (PAF) medium-term modernization program, PAF is positioned to procure additional 36 FA-50s to meet a requirement specified in Flight Plan 2028 and 12 more AW109 Power light attack helicopters produced by Finmeccanica (Leonardo from January 2017), reports IHS Jane’s.

Securing orders of additional light combat aircraft and attack helicopters are included in the several procurement priorities, a senior PAF officer said before the Asian Defence and Security 2016 (ADAS 2016) exhibition in Manila.

After the delivery of the initial 12 aircraft, the official also confirmed that the PAF would look to secure government approval for the additional FA-50s.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Additional PH supersonic jet fighters to arrive tomorrow (Wednesday)

No. 002 PAF - FA-50PH Fighting Eagle (File Photo)

Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Antonio Z. Francisco on Tuesday said two more supersonic jet fighters for the PAF will be arriving in Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Wednesday.

In a statement, Francisco said the South Korean-made FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” jet fighters with tail numbers 005 and 006 will be landing at Clark Air Base Wednesday around 11 a.m. after their flight from from South Korea.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: S. Korea, Indonesia open joint office for consultations on KF-X project

One of several concept models of the KF-X

SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Indonesia opened a joint office on Wednesday to carry out close consultations in the KF-X fighter aircraft development project, the state defense procurement agency said.

"The opening of the joint program management office will not only help the two countries exchange views on pending issues during the KF-X project but also allow them to effectively fine-tune differences," Jung Kwang-sun, director general for the KF-X Program Group at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), said in a statement.

The office has been set up in Sacheon, 437 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

Seoul and Jakarta signed an 8.1 trillion-won (US$7.1 billion) deal to jointly develop the KF-X/IF-X 4.5-generation fighter in January last year, with the latter investing 1.7 trillion won for a 20 percent stake in the project.

Read the full story at Yonhap News

News Story: South Korea's KAI Receives Contract to Produce 30 KUH-1 Surion Helicopters in Amphibious Variant

KAI, or Korea Aerospace Industries, received a contract from South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the procurement of 30 KUH-1 Surion Helicopters in amphibious variant. The helicopters, to be delivered between 2017 and 2023 will help enhance the range of operation and mobility for the ROK Marine Corps, specifically from ROK Navy Dokdo class LPH.

KAI started the navalization project in 2013 to produce a sea-based version of the twin-engine transport utility helicopter for the Marines, which will carry out transport missions from or to vessels at sea. Since its maiden flight in January 2014, KAI conducted eight months of test flights and achieved qualification on the new helicopter's capability to operate in the marine environment.

Read the full story at Navy Recognition

News Story: KAI inks a $1.8bn deal with South Korea for 100 KUH-1 helicopters

KAI KUH-1 Surion

South Korea's Marine Corps will deploy 30 amphibious helicopters in a move to bolster its maritime defense capabilities, military officials said Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the country's sole aircraft manufacturer, has signed a US$525 million deal with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to gradually deliver the 30 amphibious choppers to the Marine Corps by 2023, the aircraft company said in a statement.

The amphibious helicopter will be built based on the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter which was locally developed by the government and private experts for six years from 2006 in a US$1 bn project.

The Surion-based amphibious helicopter is best suited for naval operations as the main rotor is foldable and the body is coated with anti-corrosive agents, the statement said.

Read the full story at Air Recognition

News Story: PAF commissions 2 more jet fighters in air fleet

An FA-50PH Fighter

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Thursday formally commissioned into service the two FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” jet aircraft which arrived at Clark Field, Angeles City, Pampanga last December 1.

These aircraft, with tail numbers 003 and 004, are the third and fourth FA-50PHs out of the 12-plane order from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) worth PHP18.9 billion.

Commissioning and turnover ceremonies took place at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

“Prior the formal acceptance and blessing ceremony, the aircraft undergone acceptance flight for three days by the end-user test pilot with the presence of the Technical Inspection Acceptance Committee teams,” PAF spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco said.

Present during the ceremonies was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Last Dec. 1, FA-50PH with tail number 003 landed at 11:41 a.m. while its wingmate, 004, arrived 11:42 a.m.

The two jet fighters left Kaohsiung, Taiwan around 10:10 a.m. They were intercepted by FA-50PHs 001 and 002 while they were flying over Pangasinan.

Francisco said the two new FA-50PHs left the KAI plant in Sacheon City, South Korea last Nov. 29 and arrived in Taiwan on the same date.

The remaining eight FA-50PHs are expected to be delivered this coming 2017 and 2018.

Read the full story at Tankler