[Editorial] Don’t rush multi-billion jet purchase

Posted on : 2012-06-15 15:58 KST Modified on : 2012-06-15 15:58 KST

The administration is poised to push through the purchase of FX fighters before the end of Lee Myung-bak’s term as president. This project, which carries a hefty price tag of 8.3 trillion won (about US$7.1 billion), involves phasing in 60 high-performance fighters starting in 2016. It is the largest single-weapon acquisition in the history of the South Korean military.
A few days ago, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) held a press conference to announce that proposals would be accepted through June 18 and a decision made in October. So it appears everything is being rushed along to meet a particular date.
This decision requires caution, given the astronomical cost involved - about one-quarter of the 2012 defense budget of 32.9 trillion (about US$28.3). It is unclear why the administration is in such a hurry.
The common-sense approach would be to leave the decision on a major late-term national project to the next administration, if only to avoid questions about political maneuvering. But the Lee administration is moving at full bore, apparently to give a gift to the US government before the American presidential election in November.
It is no secret that weapons purchases come with huge commission for those involved in their sale. Every time a new weapon has been brought in, there‘s been some kind of scandal. The administration should therefore be approaching this matter with great care.
Seoul also needs to take into account its advantageous position in the market. Cuts to the US defense budget have created a buyer’s market in the weapons industry. There is no reason for us to rush in choosing the model. We need to check closely for technical flaws and ensure our own economic and legal interests through negotiations.
We also need to remember that the difference in air power between North and South is wide. It is a contradiction in terms to argue on one hand that the North is suffering a fuel shortage that leaves it unable to do basic aircraft training, and on the other that we need the most state-of-the art fighters to match its power.
Meanwhile, DAPA head Noh Dae-rae, the figure in charge of this effort, should be held to account for recent statements that seemed to show favoritism toward a particular company, arguing that a model assessment could be conducted based on a simulation rather than an actual flight test. His statement that Japan conducted on a simulation test when it purchased the model has been shown to false. If only to avoid political misunderstandings, the government should be leaving this matter to the next administration.
 
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