Indos
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I don't think US will help South Korea to build F-35 competitors. Even Israel Lavi canceled because of US sanction.
That is correct, that is why US doesnt allow 4 critical technologies to supply the program but the program still continue without US support on that 4 technologies.
The US still support the program for other technology like jet engine since there is European consortium who will help the program if US back down. Previous tender on engine and others are a competition between US and European companies and since the contract to supply the engine has been signed by US, I believe they will not betray the contract. Eurofighter consortium even previously bring the proposal to include financial support for KFX/IFX program for 20 % of the total development cost if Korean chose European instead of US to help the program.
The engine is also made by US company who is not part of F 35 program, so I believe letting GE to contribute in our program is inline with US government interest to keep their defense companies alive by selling the engine to the program.