S. Korea`s jet trainer in tough race for UAE bid: official

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's T-50 supersonic trainer is engaged in a
tough race to win orders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a government
official said Wednesday.
The senior official, who declined to be identified, said the Golden Eagle jet is
currently at a disadvantage vis-a-vis Italy's M-346 since international arms
sales involve a wide range of considerations, including offset arrangements and
economic support.
"Performance and price are important factors, but various others considerations
-- like cooperation in broader industrial areas -- play a role in any arms
procurement deal," the official said.
He did not go into detail, but hinted that because Italy is closer to the UAE
geographically, it can offer more in terms of economic cooperation.
The official, however, said that the current situation does not mean South Korea
is out of the running, and pointed out that things could turn around with Prime
Minister Han Seung-soo's planned visit to the Middle Eastern country before the
final selection is made in April.
Industry sources said earlier in the year that Italy had offered to help the
Middle Eastern country build its tourism industry by building a Formula One race
track.
The UAE picked the T-50 and M-346 late last year as primary contenders for its
next-generation trainer jet program.
Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) -- the manufacturer of the T-50 -- claims
that in terms of performance, the locally made jet is capable of speeds up to
1.5-mach, surpassing that of the sub-sonic M-346 built by Aermacchi SpA.
The highly agile T-50 is the only operational supersonic trainer built in recent
years, and can easily be used as a light attack aircraft able to carry a wide
range of weapons.
If Seoul wins the deal, estimated to be worth US$2.5-3.0 billion, it will be the
first time for the country to export a high-tech supersonic aircraft.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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