Korean Overseas Information Service, A U.S. Senate committee has directed the country's Air Force to study whether it should buy Korean-made aircraft to replace its aging and cost-inefficient trainer fleet.
In a directive dated May 9 and attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007, the Senate Armed Services Committee called for a study to determine the suitability of Korea's KT-50 training aircraft to replace the current T-38 models.
The committee also called for a suitability study for the U.S.-produced T-45.
The U.S. Air Force plans to spend $1.5 billion to maintain its T-38 fleet at a cost per flying hour that is double that of the T-45. The cost of developing a new replacement trainer and system is estimated at $2 billion.
“Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct a study that would determine the suitability of the T-45 and Korean-built KT-50 training aircraft to replace the T-38,” the committee said.
“The study should focus on cost of procurement, operating costs, the availability of a complete training system, and developmental costs.”
The committee asked that a report on the study results be submitted by March 15 next year.
A diplomatic source here confirmed Seoul's ambition to sell its KT-50 trainers. Kim Sung-il, Korea's Air Force chief of staff, visited Washington in May to discuss a possible deal. “We are making efforts through various channels,” the source said Monday (July 3).
KT-50s are on the expensive side because of their capabilities, he said. Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, they are tagged at around $20 million apiece.
Korea is also looking at the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Greece as possible buyers.
