U.S. refusal on fighter jet technology transfer might signal cracks in alliance with S. Korea

U.S. refusal on fighter jet technology transfer might signal cracks in alliance with S. Korea. November. 25, 2015 07:52. .

The United States has delayed the planned transfer of 21 aviation technologies specified in the contract for South Korea`s purchase of U.S. fighter jets, after refusing to transfer four core technologies essential to Seoul`s fighter jet development project. South Korea`s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has been expecting final approval from the U.S. government on the transfer. However, the U.S. has changed its position, asking the South Korean government to be more specific on the technologies in demand. The U.S. government is said to have already informed the DAPA of its disapproval of the proposed transfer of three of the 21 technologies, including those for system integration for double engines and semi-stealth functions. Such moves by the U.S. will deal a significant blow to South Korea`s ambitious Korean Fighter Experimental (KF-X) program to build its own fighter jets by 2025, putting into the shade President Park Geun-hye`s "forgiveness" for the DAPA, which has come under fire for its failure to secure the transfer of the core technologies.

Nevertheless, DAPA head Chang Myoung-jin said in an interview with a local newspaper said with confidence over the local jet development, claiming that he would be able to successfully complete the project if he remains in charge of it over the next 10 years. He argued that Seoul is capable of developing on its own the core equipment, including active electronically scanned array radar, for which Washington refused to hand over the technologies, as well as securing the technologies for mounting and integrating the systems on jets. South Korea can gain plenty of additional effects during the process of striving to develop fighter jets with its own technology. However, if Chang`s optimism ends up in failure to develop the technologies in need and to win the technological transfers, it is very likely that Seoul cannot even design a jet in the first place. President Park urged the DAPA to provide clear explanations to the Korean public. The acquisition agency should never again try to avoid embarrassment with lies.

In order to take proper measures, Seoul should clearly understand what made Washington reluctant to transfer the aviation technologies. Some observers claim that the U.S. has considered South Korea a potential competitor since Seoul developed the T-50 supersonic advanced trainer jet. Some others view the situation as a U.S. attempt to "tame" Seoul, which has been rapidly getting closer to China. Seoul cannot make an accurate prescription without diagnosing the issue from the perspectives of the overall relations with the U.S. beyond simple military cooperation.

When South Korea`s Defense Minister Han Min-koo accompanied President Park on her visit to the U.S. last month to secure the U.S. technological transfer, he asked his U.S. counterpart for cooperation, only to be rejected. The refusal is effectively U.S. President Barack Obama`s "no" to Park. The snag in the KFX program has caused big concerns over South Korea`s aerial defense. What is more worrisome may be a weakening Seoul-Washington alliance.