From Flight Global

 

[excerpt]

 

DATE: 09/09/11

SOURCE: Flight International

South Korea likely to acquire four Global Hawks

By Greg Waldron

 

South Korea’s plan to acquire four Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawks, first revealed in March, has moved a step closer.

I know I'm not the best strategic thinker around here... I just want to shoot down Backfires with my F-14T Super Tomcats.

 

But , why Global Hawk and not something smaller like Reaper? Korea isn't all that large and Global Hawk is big and expensive. What does Global Hawk give them for the money that a Reaper-sized UAV would not?

But , why Global Hawk and not something smaller like Reaper? Korea isn't all that large and Global Hawk is big and expensive. What does Global Hawk give them for the money that a Reaper-sized UAV would not?

 

I suspect payload versatility (read SIGINT) and endurance are the major selling points, though I suspect side benefits for "allies" in having that kind of top shelf capability so close to the DPRK and PRC. Apparently the PRC is a tad unhappy about the whole idea.

From AOL Defense

 

[excerpt]

 

South Korea Turns Up Heat On Global Hawk Deal

By Carlo Munoz

Published: September 26, 2011

 

Washington: The South Korean government is threatening to walk away from an almost $400 million Global Hawk purchase unless the Pentagon can bring the price down.

From AOL Defense

 

[excerpt]

 

Pentagon Pitches New Global Hawk Price To South Korea

By Carlo Munoz

Published: September 29, 2011

 

Washington: The Pentagon is hoping that a newly-revised price estimate will be the key to locking in a deal to sell the Global Hawk to the South Korean military.