Korean Information Service, The Defense Ministry is likely to invite foreign bids again on its plan to procure 20 advanced combat aircraft by 2012, as Boeing of the United States is the only company that has shown interest in the 2.4-billion-dollar contract, a defense source said Wednesday (April 18).
The bid was expected to become a three-way competition, but Lockheed Martin Co. recently expressed its intention of staying away from the project. The winner is to be selected early next year.
“The European consortium Eurofighter Typhoon has also informed the government that it will not participate in the project,” the source said, requesting anonymity. “If Boeing submits a bid proposal by itself by today's deadline, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration will invite bidders once again.”
If Boeing makes the sole bid again, Korea is expected to select the company as the contractor, the source added.
Seoul's plan to buy 20 fighter jets with a capacity equivalent to that of the F-15K is an extension of the country's FX project in which it signed a deal to introduce 40 F-15Ks from Boeing by 2008. Boeing has delivered 18 jets so far.
“That is why Boeing's rival defense companies believe they have a low chance of winning the bid and gave it up,” a defense analyst said.
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