According to Yonhap News,

(SEOUL=Yonhap News) American conglomerate General Electric (GE) hopes to be given the right to build the engine for South Korea's indigenous fighter jet in partnership with local companies and in exchange support Seoul's global marketing efforts, its Korean branch said Thursday.

The South Korean government will soon open bidding for an 8.5 trillion won (US$8.3 billion) fighter jet development project, dubbed the KF-X program, which was approved last month after a decade-long delay.

The program includes building 200 middle-level fighter jets for delivery starting in 2025 to replace South Korea's aging fleets of F-4s and F-5s.

While Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), South Korea's sole jet producer, is widely expected to win the contract, global aerospace companies have been watching the project closely to see who will build the key components and avionics system.

GE, which has teamed up with KAI in several prior development projects, said it hopes to design the twin-engine for the Korean jet and will support Seoul's efforts to sell the jets in the global market.

"If the KF-X project is confirmed, we will expand aero engine technology cooperation and increase the component localization rate, and also support exports via joint marketing," GE Korea head Kang Sung-wook told reporters in a briefing.

If selected as an engine provider, GE will ensure that over half of the components are locally assembled, Kang said.

GE locally assembled the F404 engine for the T-50, South Korea's first indigenous supersonic trainer jet; the LM 2500 marine gas turbine engine for South Korean Navy's Aegis destroyers; and the T700-701K turboshaft engine for the homegrown chopper Surion.

Kang stressed the systematic government support is critical to developing South Korea's own fighter jet.

"South Korea has emerged as the leading player in the shipbuilding and marine industry thanks to the full-fledged government support and conglomerates' participation in the 1970s and 1980s," he said. "To make the aerospace industry the new growth engine, the government should give a leg up to the KF-X project."

U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin will also be involved in the jet development as the company won a 7.4 trillion won contract for 40 F-35 fighters with an offset offer for a technology transfer for the KF-X. The acquisition deal is expected to be finalized within this year.

ejkim@yna.co.kr

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