US Denies S. Korea Permission To Sell Supersonic Jet To Uzbekistan

The US has denied permission to South Korea to export $400 million worth 12 T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic training jets to Uzbekistan.

The US refusal is another blow to Korea's program to develop its own military aircraft following the US’ refusal to hand over key avionics technologies regarding F-35 fighters to Korea. KAI was seeking to sell 12 T-50s worth $400 million (454 billion won), the korea Times reported today.

Korea Aerospace Industries' (KAI) T-50 Golden Eagle was co-developed in 2006 with Lockheed Martin, using the US firm's core technologies, including the avionics system and engine. Hence, Korea was seeking approval from the US to export the aircraft in accordance with the US Arms Export Control Act.

KAI has been in negotiations with the Uzbek government to export the supersonic trainers, whereas the US government is opposing the deal, citing possible technology leakage and diplomatic policy.

Besides, the US has also expressed concerns that Uzbekistan's procurement of the T-50s may increase tensions with neighbouring countries.

The military believes that the US opposition is due to Uzbekistan's membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that some say has emerged as an anti-US bulwark in Central Asia. The SCO's other members are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

The US is concerned that an export of T-50s to Uzbekistan may lead to its technologies being transferred to Russia as Uzbekistan has close ties with Russia

The US has refused during a sensitive time when the Korea's weapons procurement agency has drawn fire for failing to receive key avionics technologies from its purchase of 40 F-35 stealth jets as an offset package.

In April, South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his Uzbek counterpart Kabul Berdiev signed the memorandum of understanding on promoting bilateral partnerships and Berdiev piloted the FA-50 simulator.

The FA-50 is a light attack variant of the T-50 that has been exported to Iraq, the Philippines and Thailand. KAI also exported 16 TA-50s, another T-50 variant, to Indonesia.

However, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the nation's arms procurement agency, is still seeking to keep the talks with Uzbekistan alive.