Cheong Wa Dae launches investigation into KF-X project

Cheong Wa Dae has asked the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to submit documents about the KF-X project, according to a Yonhap report Friday.

A military official was quoted in the report as saying that Cheong Wa Dae has requested papers about the project to develop an indigenous fighter, which has been jeopardized by the failure to receive four core technologies on F-35 steal fighters from Lockheed Martin. The presidential office is reportedly considering calling in related officials.

The DAPA signed a 7.3 trillion won deal with Lockheed in September of last year to purchase 40 F-35s, from which Korea would receive 25 F-35 related technologies under the offset program. But DAPA admitted Tuesday it will not receive four of the technologies crucial to developing an indigenous fighter because the U.S. government did not approve the transfer.