Aircraft
Korea Awaits New F-16 Upgrade Offer
BAE Systems may not bid on other international F-16 upgrade programs after set-back over South Korean fighter choice
An F-16D of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). (photo: Chris Pocock)
An F-16D of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). (photo: Chris Pocock)

The U.S. government has not yet provided Korea with a new letter of offer and acceptance agreement to switch the prime contractor to upgrade the country’s 134 F-16 fighters from BAE Systems to Lockheed Martin, although the Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) was expecting it this month. Meanwhile, BAE Systems told AIN that the company is now reconsidering whether to bid on other international F-16 upgrade programs. Korea’s change of mind is unprecedented in the history of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and raises questions about future U.S. international defense sales, according to officials involved in such sales who were contacted by AIN.