Korea pushes to sell T-50 training jets to UAE's flight training center

Korea and the United Arab Emirates are in talks about jointly establishing a military flight training center in the Middle Eastern nation, officials said Thursday, a project that raises hopes for Seoul's export of T-50 trainer jets.

Negotiations are going in a direction that calls for the UAE to set up the facility with the help of foreign investments while South Korea exports the supersonic jet trainers, training equipment and flight technologies for the training center, officials said.

"Talks are under way with the UAE side about establishing an international military flight training center," a senior military official told Yonhap News. "We anticipate the discussions will progress specifically and an agreement can be reached early next year."

Such a deal would pave the way for South Korea to export about 700 billion won ($641 million) worth of planes and military equipment, including 20 T-50 training jets, the official said, asking anonymity, citing ongoing negotiations.

The T-50 Golden Eagle is South Korea's first supersonic jet and was developed jointly by the state-funded Korea Aerospace Industries and U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The first export deal for the T-50 was struck in May last year with Indonesia, which agreed to buy 16 trainer jets.

Seoul officials say the ongoing negotiation is the latest sign of the improved bilateral ties between the two nations, helped by the dispatch of South Korean troops in the Middle Eastern nation.

South Korea currently operates a 130-strong special forces unit, named "Ahk," which means "brother" in Arabic, in the eastern region of Al Ain since January 2011. The contingent has been serving for a two-year mission to help train local troops in anti-terrorism and parachute infiltration as well as to conduct joint drills.

"UAE has thought highly of the performance of the Ahk unit," the official said. "In one year and nine months, the troops have made considerable progress in military diplomacy and economy."

According to the official, UAE officials asked Seoul's defense ministry to export its modern combat training center facility, which is currently in a test run for some troops on the eastern front, as well as military equipment and training manuals.

"The UAE has asked for the South Korean military's support in its overall defense operation system, including its military manpower administrative system, the automated military supply system and education system," the official said. "Talks are currently underway to export (South Korean) military's defense operation system to the UAE."

Korea has exported about 51.7 billion won worth of weapons and military equipment, including surveillance robots, unmanned aerial vehicles and rocket launchers, to the UAE since 2010. It is about 3.5 times the amount of exports from 2005-2009, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)