Defence

The international fighter market from Morocco to South Korea moved forward on several fronts in late October.

Most significant in the geo-political realm were reports from Russia and Israel that China is negotiating to sell 24 J-10 fighters to Iran. The reported activity comes after months of speculation that Iran was negotiating with Russia to buy 250 Sukhoi Su-30s.

Either sale would dramatically bolster Iran's front-line air defence capability, which consists primarily of ageing fleets of Mikoyan MiG-29s and Shah-era Northrop F-5s and F-14s. Tehran is also reportedly interested in buying new RD-33 engines to upgrade the F-5 fleet.

Of lesser strategic value came reports that South Korea's air force has decided to acquire a fifth-generation fighter capability, such as the Lockheed Martin F-22 or F-35, after 2014.

Detailed in an annual report submitted to Seoul's national assembly, the planned procurement of stealth jets would follow a second batch of 20 conventional fighters expected to be purchased by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, the French press is reporting that Morocco has passed over a previously locked-in proposal to buy the Dassault Rafale.

Instead, Morocco has opted for a batch of Lockheed F-16s submitted in a last-minute pitch by US government officials.

The reports come only a week after Lockheed lost Thailand as a loyal fighter customer. Bangkok had instead selected Sweden's Saab/BAE Systems JAS39 Gripen fighter.