This undated file photo, captured from Embraer’s website, shows its C-390 transport aircraft. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) –South Korea’s defense authorities on Monday chose Brazilian company Embraer’s C-390 for the Air Force’s new large transport aircraft over contenders from aerospace heavyweights Lockheed Martin and Airbus.
The Defense Project Promotion Committee selected the model for the 710 billion won (US$544.4 million) acquisition project set to run through 2026, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The agency did not disclose the number of new aircraft to be introduced under the project, although South Korea is expected to purchase three units.
The South Korean Air Force currently operates Lockheed Martin C-130J as its large military transport aircraft.
“Through this project, capabilities in air transport and peace keeping operations are expected to be enhanced,” DAPA said in a release.
South Korea has increasingly mobilized its military transport aircraft for global airlift operations, such as transporting 163 South Koreans and 57 other nationals out of Israel in October following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
A South Korean F-35A fighter jet takes off from an air base in Cheongju, 112 kilometers south of Seoul, on Oct. 26, 2023, in this file photo provided by the Air Force. (Image procided by Lockheed Martin)
The committee also officially selected Lockheed Martin’s F-35 for the country’s acquisition project for additional next-generation fighter jets in a widely expected move.
Under the 4.26 trillion-won project set to run through 2028, South Korea is expected to purchase 20 more F-35s as part of efforts to sharpen deterrence against evolving North Korean military threats.
South Korea currently has a fleet of 40 F-35s, although the Air Force decided to retire one of them last week as it was damaged by a bird strike in January last year.
DAPA said the additional F-35s will help expand the country’s independent deterrence and response capabilities, citing North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
In addition, the committee approved a production plan for the homegrown Light Armed Helicopter worth about 5.7 trillion won through 2031. The production, which marks the second of its kind, is aimed at replacing the Army’s aging 500MD and AH-1S helicopters.
It also endorsed the fourth production plan for the K21 infantry fighting vehicle, worth around 780 billion won and scheduled to run through 2028.
(Yonhap)
