Botswana Eyes Korean Jets
Botswana wants to buy Korea's T-50 supersonic advanced trainer jets and FA-50 light combat aircraft, the Defense Ministry here said Monday.

The African country uses 14 F-5A fighter jets and F-5D trainers it bought from Canada in 1996 but now wants to replace the elderly craft.

A ministry official said the first purchase would be for eight of the Korean jets.

Botswana Defense Minister Dikgakgamatso Seretse met with his Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-jin in Seoul on Oct. 30 during his visit to attend the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2013.

Botswana ranks second after South Africa in southern Africa in terms of GDP with per capita GDP of US$8,550. Thailand is also interested in T-50s and FA-50s, and the Philippines is in the final stage of negotiations with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration over the purchase of FA-50s worth around $450 million.
Chosun English