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Korea¡¯s Air Force has grounded all F-15K fighter jets, storing two that arrived last month in a hangar, after one of the Boeing aircraft crashed during a routine night-training mission in June.
The two planes, which cost over W100 billion (US$1=W943) each, arrived on the same day last month that one plummeted into the ocean, killing two pilots. After the accident in the East Sea off Pohang, the Air Force has suspended all training and test flights until the results of the crash investigation are in.
The crash has derailed the introduction schedule. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the plan was to receive two more F-15Ks mid-month, but considering the investigation it was postponed until next month.
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Boeing¡¯s F15K fighter
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The schedule was two aircraft in June, two more in both July and October, and four more in both November and December. The delays in July were reportedly agreed to without much discord between Boeing and the Air Force. The delivery in July has been changed, but the plans for 14 aircraft to be introduced this year still stand, a DAPA official said.
Four F-15K were delivered last year. Another 22 are to be handed over by 2008, making 40 in total.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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