rajsunder wrote:Korea can offer many things, but can not offer integration of Russian missiles.
It really depends on what their requirements are for the light combat part of the program. This isn't their MRCA program or an attempt to replace either the Flanker or the Hornets. Or find a replacement for the MiG-29. But as YashG has stated, they operate the Hornet, (and were actually recently looking to pick up some older Hornets from Finland as well) and several weapons operated by their Hornet fleet (including JDAM and Maverick) are already integrated on the F/A-50.
YashG wrote:While I would like to believe i what you say but data says otherwise. Malaysia has FA18 & Hawks both of which use AMRAAMs - therefore T50 which also uses AMRAAM is better out of the box.
Actually, the current T-50I or F/A-50 do not use the AIM-120. They don't have BVR capability at all. That said, KAI is said to be working on the block 20 enhancement for the F/A-50 that would add the AIM-120 AMRAAM capability to all radar equipped variants as an upgrade (and new build). They are also integrating the Sniper ATP and ability to self designate LGB's in the block 10 configuration so most of these things could be on offer. But it really all comes down to what the RMAF wants and can afford. If all they really ask for is a trainer that can be a back up light attack platform then it will really be a race to the bottom in terms of procurement, operating and support cost and service. Something like the M-346 family (including the M-346FA) would be very competitive here as it is likely to be one of the most affordable to operate. Keep going up the performance spectrum and the T-50 and ultimately the Tejas begin to look more attractive but both will also cost a lot more. Especially if they keep demanding weapons and other capabilities that begin to overlap some of their MRCA requirements of the past.