S. Korea to pay $500 million for Russian aircraft

TOKYO — Russian defense contractors — taking advantage of Moscow's huge debt to Seoul — have succeeded in entering the South Korean market.

South Korea plans to procure Russian jets and helicopters to help offset a $1.8 billion debt owed by Moscow.

So far, officials said, Seoul is considering the purchase of transport aircraft, refueling planes, jet trainers and hovercraft. In all, South Korea is preparing to order $500 million worth of Russian systems. They said no decisions will be made before the end of the year.

A South Korean defense official told the Seoul-based Yonhap news agency that a delegation from Seoul will tour Russian factories to decide on procurement. The official said that contracts could be signed by the end of the year.

"We've agreed to sign a contract for the purchase of $500 million worth of Russian defense materials," Col. Kim Yong-Hwan, head of the ministry's procurement policy division, told Yonhap. "We are going to conduct a field study of the items in question in March and will reach a decision on what to purchase by the end of the year."

South Korea has resisted purchasing Russian defense systems, determining that they were inferior to the weapons Seoul receives from the United States. Last year, Seoul rejected a Russian offer to buy three Russian Kilo-class submarines in a $1 billion deal.

Russia has so far given Seoul helicopters worth $366 million. Moscow still owes Seoul $1.8 billion.

Russia plans to offer the Ka-50-2 for Seouls' attack helicopter project. The helicopter was modified in a joint venture with Israel's Aircraft Industries.