Korean Air and Airbus Defense and Space are reportedly partnering to jointly bid on a contract to provide Korea with an indigenously produced fighter aircraft.
The Korea Times newspaper, quoting unidentified sources, said the teaming agreement had been made verbally earlier this week and that the bid for the military's KF-X program will be made on Monday, the submission date for bidders.
KF-X is a $7.95 billion effort for a locally made aircraft, similar to the F-16, to replace aging F-4 and F-5 fighters flown by the Korean Air Force beginning in 2025.
Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin are jointly bidding for the work, which will involve the transfer of technology to the Korean partner.
"After Korea Air and KAI submit proposals, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA, will review them and pick a preferred bidder by next month," the newspaper quoted a DAPA official. "Negotiations with the preferred bidder will take place until May."
