Korean Air and Airbus Are Reportedly Joining Forces to Compete for Fighter Jet Project
It appears that Airbus is about to try and enter the Korean defense market:
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. [The Diplomat]
You can read more at the link.
Looks like the contract is going to KAI/Lockheed Martin:
http://news.yahoo.com/south-korea-opts-kai-lockheed-7-8-bln-045307879–finance.html
Well, I’m sure there will be a few more backroom deals with both KAL/Airbus and KAI/LM involving white envelopes, pretty girls and karaoke, so this isn’t over yet.
The bid from KAI and the US aerospace giant, which is subject to a screening process before being officially approved, was always seen as the favourite for the 8.6 trillion won ($7.8 billion) deal over a rival bid by civilian carrier Korean Air (KAL) teamed with Airbus.
Screening Process. Is that what its called these days? Sounds official enough, I guess…