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a multi-role tanker transport manufactured by European firm Airbus Defense and Space

The A-330 MRTT, a multi-role tanker transport manufactured by European firm Airbus Defense and Space, has been selected by the South Korean government to drastically extend the operational range of its jet fighters.

On June 30, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Procurement Agency (DAPA) announced that the decision was made during a meeting of the Defense Project Promotion Committee presided over by Defense Minister Han Min-koo.

Three different models were considered for the project, which is worth a total of 1.49 trillion won (US$1.33 billion) - Israel Aerospace Industries’ KC-767 MTT and US Boeing’s KC-46A, which is currently being developed, along with the A-330MRT, which is already developed and in use.

It is unusual for a European model to beat out an American one in a large defense project, hinting that the South Korean military is moving to diversify its weapons acquisition.

“The A-330 MRTT had the best features of the three aircraft. It can hold up to 111 tons of fuel, 300 personnel, and 45,000 kg of cargo at the same time,” a DAPA official said. The fuel capacity of the Boeing KC-46A is 96 tons.

The A-330 MRTT also reportedly had a more competitive price. “Airbus’s bid was more than 10% below the total project price, and the fact that the euro has decreased in value recently because of events in Greece also worked in its favor,” the source said.

The dollar to euro exchange rate reportedly fell from 1:1.3 at the time the bid was announced to 1:1 at the time of assessment.

It was also concluded that there will be no problems with compatibility and interoperability between the A-330 MRTT and South Korean jet fighters manufactured in the US.

“The A-330 MRTT is currently being used by American allies such as the UK and Australia. We didn’t find any problems in our survey,” the official said.

A total of 46 A-330 MRTTs have been sold to the UK (14), France (12), and Australia (5), while India and Qatar are currently in contract negotiations.

Outfitted with Rolls-Royce engines, the A330 MRTT is capable of refueling 21 F-15Ks and 41 KF-16s and can fly for a maximum of 14,800km.

The South Korean military expects that deploying the aerial tanker will greatly expand the operational range of air force fighters.

“Fielding an aerial tanker will increase the operational range of our jet fighters to Dokdo [to the east], Ieodo [to the south], and areas north of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line. It will also increase their weapons load capacity, which will improve their battle efficiency,” DAPA Spokesperson Kim Shi-cheol said.

The South Korean air force believes that one midair top-up will increase an F-15K’s operational time above Dokdo from the current 30 minutes to 90 minutes and above Ieodo from the current 20 minutes to 80 minutes.

The aerial refueling tanker project, which is supposed to acquire four such tankers between this year and 2020, got off the ground after the basic strategic plan for defense projects was passed in Aug. 2013.

By Park Byong-su, senior staff writer

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