Eurofighter or F-15 for S.Korea?

[jaffo4011]

Typhoon to battle F-15K in Seoul
By Siva Govindasamy

Boeing and Eurofighter go head-to-head again for 20-aircraft deal, as Dassault and Sukhoi withdraw interest

Boeing's F-15 and the Eurofighter Typhoon are to contest the $2.4 billion next phase of South Korea's F-X fighter contest, with potential rivals Dassault and Sukhoi having decided against entering the second round of bidding.

Officials from Boeing and the Euro*fighter consortium at*tended a compulsory presentation conducted by South Korea's Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), which spelt out Seoul's requirements for the 20-aircraft deal. Dassault and Sukhoi did not send representatives.

"Dassault said in 2002 that it won't take part in future South Korean competitions, and it appears to be keeping to its word. Sukhoi probably realised that it had little chance as well," says a Seoul-based industry source. "The Koreans will be relieved that Eurofighter is still keen as they want a competition, as opposed to awarding a single-source contract."

interesting.........this will be watched ,with great interest,by japan,with an eye on their next purchase......

 

[hot222]

Well I don't believe that S. Korea is going to purchase something not american.

 

[Scorpion82]

I think so too. Additionally what's the sence in operating a mixed fleet at all? The F-15K is currently sufficient enough to defeat any fighter in service with the DRPK and its strike capabilities are good too.

 

[Dr Phobus]

i totally agree, i think its just to help control costs, or give an impression of some form of international competition. For so few warplanes -20- whats the point ? And ground strike is more important than air superiority...

 

[ELP]

To be fair, what are the requirements for this next jet purchase? The same or different than last time?

 

[Schumacher]

Agree chances of SK going Euro is low. But I suspect they'll keep an eye on this.

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/pub...ders_buying_European_fighter_jet100010988.php

If Japan goes Euro, the chances of which is low as well, SK might have a legitimate worry that their F-16, F-15 or even F-35 in the future may not meet their air defence need, even if F-15K can satisfy the strike need.

 

[TrangleC]

I think even with the Typhoon "interoperability" should be no problem. After all it is designed to operate within NATO. That means friend-enemy-recognition can't be a problem. And as far as i know the ammunition is totally exchangeable too, exept for the main gun. Due to the inboard weapons bay design of the F-22, it's likely that the interoperability between the Typhoon and the F-15 might even be better than between F-22 and the F-15.
And as far as i know there isn't so much cooperation between the US fources in Japan and Korea and the native armed forces there anyway. It's not as if japanese or korean maintenance crews would repair US Airforce machines or vice versa, making it a problem to train them for maintaining another machine. So i see no problem in Japan or Korea using an NATO-compatible aircraft that just happens to be no F-15.
And F-22 and Typhoon both have the super cruise ability, which might make common operations easier and more efficient.

 

[120mm goodness]

The mixture of F-15K for long-range strike and Typhoon for air superiority isn't such a bad idea, especially with nearby Chinese J10s and J11s.

 

[swerve]

...If Japan goes Euro, the chances of which is low as well, SK might have a legitimate worry that their F-16, F-15 or even F-35 in the future may not meet their air defence need, even if F-15K can satisfy the strike need.

The South Koreans have as much reason to fear the JASDF as the Finns have to fear the Swedish Air Force.

 

[Schumacher]

The South Koreans have as much reason to fear the JASDF as the Finns have to fear the Swedish Air Force.

That's true for now with both SK & Japan under the US umbrella. But the next batch of purchase will have to cater for the needs of at least the next 25 years I think. I suspect the geopolitical landscape then will be different from today.
And as the other poster said. SK has to consider the PLAF as well.

 

[ELP]

Again, does anyone know if this requirement is different than the last one that spawned the F-15K? We could better judge the high or low points of a decsion for aircraft x y and z if we knew.

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

If Japan goes Euro, the chances of which is low as well

According to Jane's, the Typhoon is actually the favourite to win.

 

[contedicavour]

South Korean politicians are a bit fed up with US-Japan closeness lately. They want to send a signal that they don't necessarily have to buy American. Besides, introducing in service around 2010 the latest variant of '70s vintage jet may not be the smartest idea. Until the time F35s are available, buying Typhoon makes a lot of military and political sense in Seoul.

cheers

 

[harryriedl]

the EFA seems to be an export sucess 710 aircraft ordered and it seems to have a large chance in japan and south korea. the EFA seems to be takeing the f15 market share in fighter sales

 

[ELP]

If the requirement is for an air superiority aircraft, Typhoon has a chance. If the requirement is for air to ground also, F-15K can carry more PGMs out to a longer range.

Like I mentioned, be nice to see the requirement in detail.

 

[120mm goodness]

Isn't this competition instead of the follow-on option for 40 F-15Ks that was part of the original F-X contract?

It would be interesting to know if they're holding this new contest because of the allegations of corruption over the original decision, or because they've concluded that the F-15K might not do everything they want in air-air.

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

F15K seems like a much better choice. The EF2000's ability to supercruize in battle loadout (ie not clean) is questionable, its range and payload are inferior and it is not a decent strike platform. F15K is still a potent AA platform, and would be a real handfull for a J10, aswell as the air to ground capability. I'd say F15K all the way.

 

[swerve]

F15K seems like a much better choice. The EF2000's ability to supercruize in battle loadout (ie not clean) is questionable, its range and payload are inferior and it is not a decent strike platform. F15K is still a potent AA platform, and would be a real handfull for a J10, aswell as the air to ground capability. I'd say F15K all the way.

And how is this relevant in a comparison with the F-15K? Pray tell, what is the supercruise ability of the F-15K in battle loadout?

Which is most suited depends on the requirement. If they prioritise A2A, the Typhoon should walk it. If they prioritise payload & range, the F-15K is clearly superior. Etc. But realistically, the F-15K has to be considered favourite. Any other type has huge political hurdles to overcome, plus F-15K has the advantage of commonality.

One thing that puzzles me is why you keep harping on about the Typhoons supposed poor ground attack capabilities. Remember, the S. Koreans aren't looking to take 'em straight off the production line now. Plenty of time to integrate all the weapons they want for this batch (which was not the case for the first batch).

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

Responding to an earlier post that stated the EF2000's ability to supercruze as a decisive advantage over the F15K. i dont think it can supercruze operationaly, and if it cant do that, then it might as well not do it at all.

Air to ground capability has more to it than just the weapons carried. The addition of brimstone or stormshadow still doesent make it a true multi role aircraft. What about sensors, avionics, payload, range IR signature and RCS?

 

[swerve]

Responding to an earlier post that stated the EF2000's ability to supercruze as a decisive advantage over the F15K. i dont think it can supercruze operationaly, and if it cant do that, then it might as well not do it at all.

Air to ground capability has more to it than just the weapons carried. The addition of brimstone or stormshadow still doesent make it a true multi role aircraft. What about sensors & avionics?

What about them? Since you're stating it lacks an ability which the manufacturers & current users reckon it either has, or will have soon, I think it behoves you to explain yourself. What do you think it needs that it does not have & is not scheduled to get?

BTW, I don't think there's any doubt about its ability to supercruise in an air-air configuration.