South Korea getting 9X

rock45

Active member
It looks like South Korea getting the best IR missile (some say the Python 5 is) on the market the 9X sidewinder. Good news for there F-15s and who knows maybe there F-16s as well. Put four 9Xs on a T-50 with two drop tanks and you got a modern mini fighter for $25/30 mil.
icon14.gif


Korea - AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles
WASHINGTON, May 13, 2008 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Korea of AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $25 million.
The Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of 35 All-Up-Round AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles, 1 AIM-9M SIDEWINDER Missile (Legacy), 12 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 2 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Dummy Air Training Missiles (DATMs), Missile Containers, missile modifications, test and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $25 million.
The Republic of Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability, which will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives. No foreign policy or military developments affect this proposed sale.
The sale of the AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missile system is being addressed in conjunction with the planned sale of additional F-15K fighter aircraft. AIM-9X procurement will significantly enhance the Korean Air Force's current air-to-air intercept capability to equal capabilities within their region of operations. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces.
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Electronic Systems Company of Tucson, Arizona.
Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected, but at this time the specific offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.
Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any additional U. S. Government personnel in-country.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Link
http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2008/Korea_08-48.pdf
 
Range

Nice. But something with range would also be really welcome.
Maybe (2) squadrons of super Block-II F-22s with powerful gas eating V8's? I can see why you would want a fighter with range just in case some really northern targets needed to be taken out.
icon12.gif


I always thought about how bad the US armed forces would be if China launch a surprise attack against South Korea and Japan at the same time. It would make the Japanese attack against at Pearl Harbor look like a walk in the park. We would be hurting for staging bases for sure not to mention lost personnel and assets. I for one would like to see South Korea maintain a powerful air force and air defense network. North Korea is chump changes compared to what's above it, I know better.
 
Not really a fighter with range, an AAM with range.
A Chinese assault on Korea is something we just don't want to think about.
 
Back
Top