F-35 Now Seen As A Contender For The 60-Plane Contract

The government of South Korea rejected the only bid it received for a 60 fighter jet contract that met its budget requirements and says it will re-open the procurement process.

The move is a blow to Boeing, which had proposed its F-15 Silent Eagle for the $7.7 billion contract. But defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told reporters that the Korean Air Force determined it needs fifth-generation fighter technology in response to provocations from North Korea. The F-35 Lightning II is built around that fifth-generation technology.

Reuters reports that South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement that it will "swiftly pursue the program again in order to minimize the vacuum in combat capabilities."

Lockheed Martin has recently taken orders for the F-35 from a number of countries, which analysts say may give it an opportunity to enter the bidding in South Korea at a price that meets their budgetary requirements.

In a statement, Boeing said it was "disappointed" by the decision, and that it will "await details from DAPA on its basis for the delay while evaluating our next options."

Boeing had invested heavily in developing the F-15 Silent Eagle, and it seemed to be the front runner to win the contract. But a group of 15 former South Korean Air Force leaders sent a petition to the government saying that the airplane lacked the stealth capability possessed by newer fighters.

(F-15 Silent Eagle pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.dapa.go.kr/eng/index.jsp