IAF mulls purchase of South Korean fighter jets
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent Last update - 05:28 02/08/2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104612.html

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.

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.