S. Korean Air Force chief to visit U.S. to help trainer jet bid

SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's Air Force will visit the United States next month to help the country's sole aircraft manufacturer sell its advanced trainer jet to the U.S. military, officials in Seoul said Tuesday.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo is planning to promote the T-50A trainer jointly developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin Corp. when he meets his U.S. counterparts, the Air Force said in a parliamentary audit.

Washington is expected to begin the process later this year to select a preferred bidder to manufacture some 350 advanced trainer jets and aims to clinch a deal next year, an official said.

"When additional trainer demand from the U.S. Navy is taken into account, the combined order value could reach US$20 billion in the mega deal," he said.

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
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