Israel turning into main arms supplier to South Korea

by News Desk
August 21, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1677/israel-turning-into-main-arms-supplier-to-south

During 2009-2010 Elisra Electronic, a subsidiary of IAI received US$ 11 million against the US$29 million contract to supply South Korea with airborne electronic warfare suites for its CN-235 transports. The deal for Elisra comes after a 2009 contract worth around $25 million for integrated electronic warfare suites for South Korea's fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transports. Also in 2009, Elisra implement the US$7 million contract for early warning equipment for four prototype Korea Aerospace Industries F/A-50 strike aircraft. The deal included advanced radar warning receiver as well as chaff and flare dispensers.

During 2010-2011, ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea [South Korea] awarded a contract worth US$ 280 million to Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, for developing and supplying the EL/M 2032 Multimode Fire Control Radar system for the ROK's FA/TA-50 training jet. The radar was chosen by the customer for its advanced system compared to other competitors. The second contract is for advance air defense system to ROK. The radar enhances a fighter jet's air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea capabilities, enabling long-range target detection and high-resolution mapping, among other features. The TA/FA-50 aircraft is being developed in the ROK by Korean Aerospace Industries [KAI], and will become operational with the radar system, which is co-produced with the Korean company LIG Nex1.

Now South Korea is willing to expand the defense cooperation with Israel and Kwon Oh-bong, the vice commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration [DAPA], South Korea hinted that his country is planning to turn Israel into its main arms supplier, following recent border incidents with its northern communist neighbour.

Kwon Oh-bong, who recently visited Israel, met senior Defense Ministry officials. In his visit to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the South Korean official expressed an interest in the Irom Dome rocket interception system, which was activated successfully in southern Israel recently.

"The security situation and threats faced by Israel and South Korea are very similar," says Kwon. "We are constantly boosting our readiness against North Korea, and we're exposed to the types of incidents and local provocations Israel is familiar with too.

"We too are under a major threat of artillery, missiles and rockets, and we were briefed on Rafael's air defense system. It's a very interesting weapons system and we'll consider it."

Kwon also visited Israel Aerospace Industries [IAI], Elisra and Elbit, which are already involved in South Korea's T-50 trainer and assault aircraft project. Based on the F-16, the plane is competing against Italy's Aermacchi M-326 in a bid issued by the Israel Air Force for an advance trainer aircraft to replace the old-fashioned Skyhawk.

The IAI's Elta produces the radar for the plane's assault version; Elisra produces its electronic warfare system, and Elbit – some of the avionics systems.

Kwon Oh-bong told Israeli news media in an interview, "Israeli companies already produce advance systems for the T-50, which has already been purchased by our air force and could contribute to your air force as well. If Israel does purchase the aircraft, Israeli companies will be able to take part in its production. When the Defense Ministry and Air Force select the next trainer aircraft, they should have the future potential cooperation in mind."

South Korean interest focuses on missile and aerial systems made in Israel. In the past two years, the South Koreans made acquisitions of close to US$ 400 million in Israel, and major deals are still being negotiated between the two countries.

Kwon Oh-bong said, "The South Korean defense budget stands at US$ 30 billion, and the military acquisition budget stands at US$ 10 billion and grows as time goes by on the backdrop of the situation. In the past few years we have purchased in Israel the Green Pine radar and the Harpy UAV. The United States has been our main arms supplier for years, but in recent years Israel has become a key acquisition source together with European countries."

Meanwhile, a South Korean delegation which visited Israel at the same time looked into potential collaborations with the Defense Ministry in the areas of security research and development.

Kwon Oh-bong said: "I was very impressed by the fact that 90 percent of Israel's defense industry activity is designated for exports. This shows how competitive and advanced it is."

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