F-15K’s Arrive in Korea
The first new F-15K that the South Korean government purchased from Boeing has arrived in Korea:
South Korea has received its first batch of next generation fighter jets, a development that boosts its aerial defense over the Korean peninsula.
The American-made F-15K aircraft that arrived in Seoul are part of a 40-jet deal.
The selection of the F-15 over the Rafale from France had led to allegations of political maneuvering from Washington, and even charges of graft, which Seoul has denied.
On Friday, two F15-K Eagles roared into Seongnam Air Force Base just south of the capital Seoul.
The country had ordered a total of 40 of the aircraft to form its next generation of fighter planes.
The US$5.5 billion deal saw the Eagle from America’s Boeing beating off competition from the Typhoon Euro-fighter, and the Rafale from France.
Some of you may remember the controversy that started when President Bush publicly advocated the purchase of the F-15 to then Korean President Kim Dae Jung. It was unwise for President Bush to do that because anything he says will get interpreted in the Korean media in some anti-American way which was the case with F-15 purchase. This gave the French government an opportunity to also jump in and play to anti-American sentiment in hopes of selling their inferior aircraft.
Ultimately the Korean government did the right thing and buy the best aircraft. Here is what one Korean pilot thinks of the new F-15K:
Boeing test pilots and South Korean fighter pilots took the first two F-15s through a number of performance tests on their way to Hawaii.
South Korea Air Force Maj. Young Su Lee said he likes what the new F-15 brings to his Air Force.
“The South Korean Air Force will now have a jet to extend our operation limits, and have precision attack for long distances,†he said. “It will enhance our operation between the (South Korea) Air Force and the U.S. Air Force.â€
This K-model F-15 is compatible with other South Korea Air Force systems as well as U.S. assets in the region. The K-model version packs all the latest avionics capabilities available on the market.
Since the ROK Air Force now has F-15’s I wonder if the “citizen groups” will sue the ROK Air Force for noise pollution like they did the American F-15’s?
Nomad has more on his site.
