With seoul's march 24 announcement of its long-
held intent to purchase the F-35A, South Korea is
likely securing an offset deal that will include a new
military communications satellite and technical
assistance in the country’s plans to develop an
indigenous stealthy KF-X fighter.
Lockheed Martin, the sole producer of stealthy
fighters globally, will provide more than 300 man-
years worth of engineering expertise in assisting
Seoul in designing its KF-X. The F-22 and F-35
builder will also offer more than 500,000 pages of
technical documentation derived from the F-16, F-22
and F-35, says Michael Rein, a company spokesman.
South Korea is looking at multiple KF-X designs, but
has recently found that a single-engine option may
be as effective at an affordable price point as a twin
engine. It is slated to become operational around
2025.
Also in the offset proposal is a secure satellite
communications satellite; Lockheed is building the
newest U.S. Air Force jam-proof satellite called the
Advanced Extremely High Frequency spacecraft. It is
built on the company’s A2100 bus and includes the
latest security measures to avoid interference or
jamming. The offset also includes “necessary
control equipment and technical training,” Rein
says. The deal could cover delivery of the new
satellite, launch and turnover of the operational
system.
Seoul announced its choice of the F-35A over the
Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle, a
Strike Eagle modified with stealthy weapons bays
and leading edges, in December. Though Boeing’s
offer was the only one to comply with South Korea’s
budget limitations, the government overrode a
recommendation to buy the Super Hornet. To stay
in a budget of 8.3 billion won ($7.2 billion), the
country is only purchasing 40 F-35As, far less than
its intended buy of 60 aircraft in the F-X phase 3
program.
Lockheed Martin also included development of a
virtual warfare center to be used for modeling and
wargaming in its offer. However, since the deal was
cut to 40 aircraft, there could be changes to the
plan, one industry official says.
South Korea is the 10th country that has
announced its intentions to buy the F-35. Israel and
Japan committed in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Seoul’s sale will make use of the Pentagon’s foreign
military sales program. It is widely assumed that the
country will include an option of the additional 20
fighters in its program for purchase on a later date.
South Korea plans to take delivery of its first F-35As
in 2018; they will be included in the Pentagon’s low-
rate, initial production buy. Seoul plans to buy as
many as 10 per year.
The final agreement on the buy is expected to be
signed by year’s end, says Steve O’Bryan, vice
president of program integration and business
development at Lockheed.

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