S. Korea to set up 'customized' strategy for weapons exports

SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will set up a "customized" strategy to
fuel overseas sales of locally-made weapons systems that are becoming
increasingly important export items, the government said Sunday.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a report submitted
to the National Assembly that it will set individual strategies to meet the
specific needs of five broad groups and regions.
It said programs will be tailored to meet the needs of advanced industrialized
economies, the Middle East and Turkey, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa.
As of last year South Korea exported US$845 million in military hardware, up
sharply from $255 million the year before. Seoul expects exports to reach a
record $1.0-1.5 billion by the end of this year.
For the United States, the plan calls for the country to aggressively market its
T-50 supersonic trainer and to offer a wide range of maintenance and other
logistics services for existing weapons.
DAPA said while marketing of the T-50 is expected to begin in earnest in 2012,
the country will try to win deals to build the wings for A-10 ground attack
aircrafts and conduct overhauls.
With other advanced economies like Britain, the agency under the defense ministry
wants to jointly build a logistics support ship with a displacement of about
20,000 tons.
In the Middle East and Turkey, the administration said both technical and
complete unit exports are planned.
South Korea has already signed a technical export agreement with Turkey for the
next generation K-2 Black Panther main battle tank, and has said it wants to
market the KT-1 basic trainer, K-10 armored munitions vehicle and 155mm rocket
assisted projectile (RAPs) that have exceptionally long range capabilities.
For Saudi Arabia, which has expressed interest in South Korean weapons, sales of
the Chunma mobile surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and Biho 30mm anti-aircraft
cannons are being pursued, as well as export of K-21 next infantry fighting
vehicles and the K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers.
Sales to Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait are to be
centered on the T-50 and K-9 wheeled armored cars and the Chunma, as well as
multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and unmanned surveillance systems.
The report submitted to lawmakers also said that exports to Southeast Asia would
consist of those jointly developed and manufactured, with such systems as the
Type-209 submarine and KH-178 105mm towed howitzer being targeted for Indonesia,
and K-9 and logistics support ships slated for Malaysia.
Sales to Thailand could involve wheeled armored cars, trucks and Frigates, with
Pakistani exports being focused on 155mm howitzer rounds, portable KP-SAM systems
and the Airborne Electronic Warfare System-200 (ALQ-200), an electronic
countermeasure system that can be attached to planes. Australia has shown
interest in the K-9 and its munitions.
For Latin American and Africa, DAPA said weapons could be linked to the
exploration and development of natural resources in these regions.
Columbia is in the market to buy new light howitzers and night vision goggles,
while Brazil is a likely candidate for the sale of the 5,000-ton KDX-2 destroyers
used by the South Korean Navy.
Talks with Chile are progressing on the possible sale of the T-50, Chunma and
Biho, with exports of patrol boats and trucks being considered for Venezuela.
Among African countries, including Egypt and Algeria, South Korea is planning to
secure deals to export K-9s, related howitzer rounds and trucks.