Posted on 07/04/2006 3:06:06 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
IAI hires Seoul PR firm in battle with Boeing
The two companies are bidding in the $1.4 billion South Korean tender for early warning aircraft.
Amnon Barzilai 3 Jul 06 19:04
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) has hired a PR agency in Seoul, to assist in it its battle with Boeing (NYSE: BA) for the $1.4 billion tender to provide early warning aircraft to South Korea. Local media representatives have been given information about Israeli technology as well as details of Boeings failure to meet the timetable on a similar project that it is carrying out for the Australian air force. The decision on the winning bid will be given in the coming months, and it is believed both in Israel and South Korea that IAI has a good chance of winning the tender.
Under the terms of the tender, the winning bidder will provide four early warning aircraft under the framework of the project codenamed E-X. IAI is offering the Phalcon airborne radar system, manufactured by its Ashdod-based subsidiary, Elta. The system is installed on the Gulfstream executive jet made by General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Boeing is offering the AWACS system, which is installed on its 737 aircraft. According to reports in South Korea, IAI has made a bid of $1.1 billion, while Boeings bid totals $1.7 billion, after it lowered its original offer by $700 million.
The final decision on the winning bid rests with South Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun, who will make his ruling after hearing the opinions and recommendations of a professional committee comprising representatives from several government ministries headed by Defense Minister Yoon Kwan-Ung. The presidential decision will be followed by a process to set the final contract price. The announcement could be made at the end of this month although the process may be delayed by internal issues relating to the date of the convening of the South Korean parliament.
Ping!!
Actually a much different system, at least the radar, than is on US, NATO, British and Saudi AWACS. That one is '60s and '70s tech, this one is all solid state, no moving parts.
The Phalcon's radar is based on an earlier design of the same name. Boeing has more experience, but IAI has quite a bit as well.
The IAI PHALCON system seems to have a unique distinction-it's been mounted on both Western (B-707,Gulfstream) & Eastern (IL-76) platforms.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.