Article Posted on : - Dec 25, 2013

The F-16 fighters. A BAE photo

LONDON (BNS): British defence major BAE Systems has been roped in to upgrade South Korea's fleet of F-16 fighter jets under an agreement finalised between the US Government and the Republic of Korea.

Under the deal, it will perform upgrades and systems integration for the RoK's fleet of more than 130 Lockheed Martin-built F-16 fighter jets, the company announced on Dec. 23.

It will begin the first phase of the work under contract through the US Department of Defence's Foreign Military Sales programme.

Under terms negotiated by the US Air Force and the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, BAE Systems will upgrade 130-plus KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft, to include associated equipment, parts, training, and logistical support.

Phase One of the work will begin immediately and will involve the initial design and development of the upgrade solution.

Phase Two of the work, as proposed, would begin in 2014 and would complete the production and installation of the upgrade kits in all of the aircraft over the next several years, BAE said in a statement.

The work under the deal will be performed at BAE Systems' facilities in the US.