South Korea's new fighter

Boeing has just offered the F-15K to South Korea for their new fighter requirement. Another aircraft being actively marketed, and being received suprisingly well, is the Su-35. Also being offered are the Rafale, the Eurofighter, and improved F-16’s. What do you think the Koreans should go with?

I think the Su-35 would be a good choice (i’m not saying its the best just yet). Daewoo or someone could license produce it, as Korea has production experience with F-16’s. This should give them a production base to produce some (if not all) of their own spares. With the possibility of reunification ever growing, I’m wondering how keen some of the Western nations are going to be to have Chinese-friendly North Koreans having access to advanced technologies (although the ROKAF already has AMRAAM).

Besides, inclusion of the AAM-L/KS-172 should be a good selling point for Sukhoi if the weapon is released for export. Korea would have a substantial big stick to repel enemy aircraft from long range, particularly non-maneuverable bombers. What Korea needs to do here is analyse the threats they will face otherthan the North Koreans. Buying an aircraft to counter the NKAF, and then reunifying, would be a waste of money in my book!