Iraq is considering purchasing Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)/Lockheed Martin T-50 lead-in fighter trainers, reports The Korea Times newspaper.

A request for the acquisition was made during last month's South Korea-Iraq summit meeting in Seoul, the paper's website reports, citing "sources close to the deal". KAI was not immediately available for comment.

Iraqi president Jalal Talabani is said to have received a briefing on the T-50, and defence minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi in January inspected an aircraft in Seoul. An Iraqi pilot has also flown the T-50, according to the Korea Times.

Source: Flight International