[비즈한국] The Air Force’s 2nd Large Transport Aircraft Project, scheduled to begin in 2022, is entering a new phase. Instead of the A400M, which was considered a leading candidate, the C-130J is drawing attention. The large transport aircraft project is one of the Air Force's long-cherished ambitions. A "large transport aircraft" refers to an aircraft that combines the flight and transport capabilities of a strategic airlifter with the takeoff and landing performance of a tactical airlifter.
Regarding the 2nd Large Transport Aircraft Project, the Air Force submitted a requirement validation request to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in early 2019. The Joint Chiefs of Staff subsequently approved the initiation of the large transport aircraft acquisition project. A feasibility study was conducted last year. A feasibility study is a process conducted prior to the domestic development or overseas acquisition of major weapon systems to consider feasibility and assess the economic viability of procurement, operation, and maintenance. The A400M, previously a leading candidate, had attracted interest due to a potential offset deal involving the export of domestically produced trainer jets to Spain.
However, the feasibility study results indicated that the unit acquisition and operating costs of the A400M are considered too high for the ROK Air Force to bear. In addition, defense industry insiders report that negotiations related to an offset deal between Spain and South Korea have been stagnant due to COVID-19. Furthermore, on October 16 last year (local time), Airbus, the manufacturer of the A400M, announced the AFJT (Airbus Future Jet Trainer), targeting the Spanish Air Force's requirement to replace its advanced trainer aircraft. Spain is notably one of the key nations leading Airbus, the representative aviation and defense company of Europe.
The final assembly line for the A400M is also located in Spain. In November 2019, the Spanish Air Force selected the PC-21 from Switzerland's Pilatus to replace its C-101 basic trainer aircraft. They are now looking for an aircraft to replace the F-5 currently used as an advanced trainer. For this reason, there is internal momentum within the military favoring the C-130J over the A400M. The Air Force currently operates 16 C-130 series transport aircraft manufactured by U.S.-based Lockheed Martin. Among them, four are C-130J-30s, an extended fuselage version of the standard C-130J.
The C-130J is already in service with the Air Force and is characterized by relatively lower acquisition and maintenance costs compared to the A400M. This is why the additional acquisition of the C-130J is gaining traction. While the KC-390 made by Brazil’s Embraer has also been mentioned as a candidate, defense industry insiders state that its participation may be difficult because the Required Operational Capability (ROC) for the large transport aircraft specifies the use of four turboprop engines. The 2nd Large Transport Aircraft Project plans to acquire 3 aircraft, with an additional 3 units to be procured through a future project.