South Korea: $7.3 Billion Fighter Jet Bidding Temporarily Suspended

[MyLittlePony 340]

South Korea announced that they are temporarily suspending the US$7.3 fighter jet bidding initiated by the South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

DAPA received 55 separate price bids since the opening of tenders to build fighter jets for South Korea.

Boeing Co's F-15SE, Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35A and EADS's Eurofighter Typhoon are the top contenders to win the fighter jet deal.

A DAPA official, who declined to be identified, commented, "There is a need to carefully check the bids placed so far before making a decision to move forward."

The DAPA official also said that the agency will decide soon whether to carry out additional bids for the project of to stop the bidding altogether.

The Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday that the suspension for the fighter jet project was due to the high-priced offers from three aviation manufacturers.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Good. They could probably get more bang for their bucks buying Typhoons instead.

[Pooky 3,807]

Good. They could probably get more bang for their bucks buying Typhoons instead.

I think you'll find that the Typhoon bid is one of the three high-priced bids giving the South Koreans heartache.

[MyLittlePony 340]

American jets are built to last. F-35A would be a great choice brand new 5th gen stealth.

Edited July 8, 2013 by big dog

[Darnell 8,478]

high priced offers?

screw em - they can go for low bid.

[Pooky 3,807]

American jets are built to last. F-35A would be a great choice brand new 5th gen stealth.

The Thunderpig can't do what the DoD specified, is overweight, beset by problems, over-budget and under threat. That it has survived this long is down to one thing, and one thing only. And that is the money already sunk into it by the US government and the project partners.

South Korea should pick something - anything- else.

[kzielu 1,149]

Certainly not a Typhoon. Its a plane with no ground strike capability (its first ground kill in Libya was through Tornado's targeting pod) which what nowadays planes are mostly used for. Good old F-16 with Sniper pod is more capable...

Edited July 9, 2013 by kzielu

[Pooky 3,807]

Certainly not a Typhoon. Its a plane with no ground strike capability (its first ground kill in Libya was through Tornado's targeting pod) which what nowadays planes are mostly used for. Good old F-16 with Sniper pod is more capable...

So, certifying release for the Paveway IV smart munition means it has no ground strike capability? You're funny.

As with all aircraft, capability is added over time. It happened with the Viper, it happened with the Eagle and it's happening with the Typhoon. If the ROKAF picks the Typhoon, then, by the time it enters service, it will have integrated AESA, a wider range of cleared ordnance and it will fly rings around anything short of a Raptor, or a PAK-FA.

And it will still be expensive. South Korea will likely opt for the Thunderpig, following the US lead. Which would be a pity.

[Darnell 8,478]

so, what plane was in the #4 and #5 spot?

[GandD 5,966]

The fact that the F-15 is still relevant in any iteration show how fantastic a plane it really has been.

[Pooky 3,807]

The fact that the F-15 is still relevant in any iteration show how fantastic a plane it really has been.

No doubt about it.