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Last update - 05:28 02/08/2009
IAF mulls purchase of South Korean fighter jets
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: IAF, Skyhawk, Israel News 

A delegation of three Israeli Air Force officers will leave for South Korea this week to examine the T-50 Golden Eagle, a candidate to replace the IAF's veteran Skyhawk jets. This is the first time in 40 years that Israel is considering purchasing a fighter jet not made locally or in the United States.

The IAF seeks to purchase 20 to 30 light attack jets to be used by pilot school cadets in advanced stages of combat pilot training. The T-50 is produced by Korean Airspace, in partnership with American company Lockheed-Martin. It took its maiden flight in 2002 and is used in the South Korean air force as a light attack jet and for training purposes. The IAF has been taking interest in the jet since as early as 2003, and the positive impressions gathered over the years have led to the unusual step of sending an official delegation to examine a non-American fighter aircraft.

Other candidates for purchase include the T-45, an American model of the British Hawk training aircraft, and the M-346, produced by the Italian firm Alenia Aermacchi. At the moment the T-50 appears to be in the lead, as its performance matches closely that of the IAF destroyers, especially the F-16s.
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The Skyhawk, set to be replaced by the new purchase, first arrived to Israel in 1968, marking the beginning of the American era for IAF, which used mostly French jets at the time. The Skyhawk served in bombing and close air support.

Today several dozens Skyhawks still serve in the 102 squadron ("Flying
Tiger"), and in the pilot training school. Last year an expose in The Marker revealed a series of flaws in the maintenance of the jets, which led to the temporary grounding of the entire contingent. Sources in the IAF said recently they have overcome those issues, but admitted that using such an old airplane was "disconcerting.
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  1.   Too expensive? 06:28  |  Ami Israel Goldman 02/08/09
  2.   with Moldovan jets and Zimbabwean technology. 09:43  |  Fortuna Benmayor 02/08/09
  3.   Wonderful - lessen dependence on fickle US 11:21  |  Kenny 02/08/09
  4.   to # 1 11:22  |  CM 02/08/09
  5.   # 3 kenny 14:10  |  Axel 02/08/09
  6.   Buy them! 14:29  |  Conroy 02/08/09
  7.   # 6 conroy 14:42  |  Axel 02/08/09
  8.   PRESIDENT OBAMA IS THREATENING TO END MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL 15:52  |  JOHN BROWN 02/08/09
  9.   For what? 16:24  |  Murray of Montreal 02/08/09
  10.   7 nor is Israel. Are you a complete Idiot? 16:59  |  Simon 02/08/09
  11.   They are only trainers/ light attack 17:21  |  Simon 02/08/09
  12.   m346 cheaper and more technologically advanced 17:41  |  Ari 02/08/09
  13.   # 10 simon 18:17  |  Axel 02/08/09
  14.   # 10 simon on idiots 18:29  |  Axel 02/08/09
  15.   # 12 ari 19:19  |  Axel 02/08/09
  16.   South Korea 22:51  |  Joe Kelsall 02/08/09
  17.   President Obama threatens to end military aid to Israel 00:07  |  Matthew 03/08/09
  18.   I don`t think Korea GIVES their jets away. 01:36  |  Johnboy 03/08/09
  19.   Axel needs a reality check 03:44  |  Arie 03/08/09
  20.   Obama is the new DeGaulle 03:47  |  Arie 03/08/09
  21.   axel: "s Korea is not occupying"? 03:50  |  Arie 03/08/09
  22.   To Axel 06:11  |  Mark 03/08/09
  23.   AXEL S.KOREA faces lunatics up North just as Israel faces Iran 09:51  |  PETER SM 03/08/09
  24.   arms from Korea 11:37  |  izwick 03/08/09
  25.   To JOHN BROWN 11:45  |  Ase 03/08/09
  26.   # 19 arie 13:43  |  Axel 03/08/09
  27.   # 21 arie 13:45  |  Axel 03/08/09
  28.   # 20 arie 13:48  |  Axel 03/08/09
  29.   m346 15:10  |  ari 03/08/09
  30.   but Israel NEEDS some arm-twisting.. 17:41  |  Jimmy 03/08/09
  31.   # 29 ari 17:49  |  Axel 03/08/09
  32.   # 29 ari - 2 17:57  |  Axel 03/08/09
  33.   # 7 03:50  |  David 05/08/09
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