Korea Pushing For Increased Exports of Defense Items

, Korea is stepping up efforts to boost exports of defense items, including a supersonic trainer jet, in a bid to nurture an export-oriented defense industry, officials said Tuesday (March 6). 
 
The country expects its defense exports to surge 36 percent to $3.4 billion this year from $2.5 billion last year. The efforts come as other countries have started to take notice of locally made defense items and many countries are trying to upgrade their military hardware. 
 
According to the officials at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, the government is focusing on the sale of the T-50 supersonic trainer jet to the United Arab Emirates. 
 
The Golden Eagle, which is being delivered to the South Korean Air Force, has been picked along with Italy's Aermacchi M-346 and British Aerospace Hawk 128 as candidates for the Middle East country's next-generation advanced trainer. A decision is expected to be reached in October that could entail the sale of 40 to 60 jets worth $2 billion to $3 billion. 
 
Ministry officials said if the sale takes place it will open new horizons for the country's aerospace industry. 
 
“The T-50 exploits a market left vacant by industry leaders such as the United States that focuses on top-notch fighters and attack aircraft like the F-22,” said Lee Seung-jae, head of the ministry's international cooperation division. 
 
He said Greece, Turkey, Qatar and Singapore have all expressed interest in the T-50, which can be converted into a light attack aircraft. 
 
Korea Aerospace Industries built the aircraft in cooperation with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. and hopes to sell 3,000 of the jets. 
 
In addition, Korea is vying to win contracts to sell submarines and light destroyers to Jakarta. Indonesia is looking to buy two submarines for about $750 million and two destroyers for $150 million, the ministry said. 
 
Korean shipyards Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. and Hanjin heavy Industries and Construction Co. have built most types of warships for the navy, including submarines, frigates, destroyers and landing ships embarking helicopters. 
 
The ministry also said there may be a market for the next-generation tank that was unveiled last week. 
 
The Commerce Ministry said Turkey has expressed interest in the XK2 tank, nicknamed “Black Panther,” that will reach frontline units from 2011 and complement the K-1 tanks currently operated by the Korean Army. 
 
Turkey already imports K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers made by Samsung Techwin Co.