Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has finalised a contract with the South Korean defence ministry for the upgrade of eight Lockheed Martin P3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft. KAI values the contract at 500 billion won ($496 million), but estimates a further 1 billion won in export business. KAI and partner L-3 are jointly marketing the upgrade package to Asia Pacific P-3 operators. The eight ex-US Navy aircraft are to be delivered to South Korea by 2010 (Flight International, 21-27 December 2004).