Republic of Unified Korea

And now, for something completely unrelated to the discussion at hand. Since I couldn't really find any good concept art or images for the KFX 5th Gen Fighter, so I decided to go a different route entirely when it came to getting the RoUK Air Force a viable 5th Gen Fighter. It's not a drawing, just an interesting concept I would like opinions on.

KF-60A&B Golden Eagle (PAK-FAs bought from Russia and modified)
South Korean Modifications:
-- AL-41F Engines replaced with F119 Turbofan Engines with 3D Thrust Vectoring Nozzels
-- Russian radar replaced with specially designed Samsung AESA Radar
-- Russian Avionics replaced with specially designed Korean equivalents
-- All wiring replaced with fiber optic cable
-- Electro-Optical Targeting System fitted in the nose
-- Distributed Aperture System with accompanying HMD fitted
-- Fitted with Korean designed RAM and Radar Blockers
-- Cockpit fitted with western ejection seats and situational awareness displays
-- Internal cannon replaced with an M61A1 20mm Rotary Cannon (or 30mm Rotary Cannon on later models, albeit with reduced magazine)
-- Weapons bays modified to carry AIM-9X, AIM-120D, KLRAAM, JDAM, SDB, HARM, JSOW, and JASSM

Description:
In 2016, Korea was looking for a 5th Generation fighter to supplement it's existing 4++ Generation Fighter, such as the F-15 and F-16. It originally tried coercing the US into selling it F-22s. It stated that Korea was a long time ally of the US and that there was no worry that the technology would fall into the wrong hands because it was alreadt being marketed by the China and the Russians. However the US remained abstinent. Instead the US offered the F-35 at a lower than average price, but the Single-engined aircraft was not considered appropriate for Air Superiority or Deep Strike. The Korean Government then looked to the Russians. They subsequently bought the Sukhoi Su-50 PAK-FA Multi-Role Fighter. They then began a program to "westernize" the aircraft and make it compatible with NATO and Western weapons and electronics. To put it bluntly, the aircraft was gutted unitil all that remained was the basic airframe, then it was fitted with western and locally designed Avionics, Engines, Electronics, and Weapons.

The results exceeded all expectations. The combination of advanced western technologies with the inherent ruggedness and reliability of the Russian design produced a trully excellent warplane. Able to operate from just about anywhere and sustain enormous battle damage (by western standards) the aircraft is considered on of the RoUKAFs most valuable assets. It has much lower maintenance cost than comparable designs, and a higher weapons load. It is currently being license produced at two plants inside Korea. They are usually parred with an MQ-57B squadron when in the air defense role.

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Korean AU

Well considering that PAK-FA isn't anything more really than a demonstrator at present you could probably come up with your own design that would be suitable. Other than that:

I'm doubtful that the USA would sell F119s to anyone yet if ever.
I wouldn't bother with the M61, I'd rather keep the single (or pair as some sources suggest) of revolver cannons, 30mm x165 or even 173 is not to be sniffed at compared to 20mm x102
I don't see Korea (unified or not) being able to afford many (read as useful number) airframes the wiki price of ~$60M USD seems way off for any sort of 5th generation aircraft. I see RoKAF / URoKAF either buying into the stealthy Gripen proposal or upgrading and expanding their fleet of F-15s to encompass the F-15SE modifications or even coming up with their own design (the stealthy canard KF-X design maybe?)

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AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

Well my thought was that like in the early 2000's, the Russians owed them money, so they sold them at reduced price. Your right about the F119's. The PAK-FA is supposed to be operational in 2015. I only choose the 20mm because of standardization, 30mm would be better. In my experience, it's usually cheaper to buy other people's aircraft then to develope your own, especially 5th gen aircraft.
EDIT: They're not buying the whole airframe either, there basically buying a gutted husk, and filling it with locally designed and imported western avionics and systems. Also, in my AU, they bought into both upgraded F-15s and Gripens (to replace the F-16).

PAK-FA is still going to cost a rather large sum of money per unit for a capability that you don't desperately need. Yes China will have J-20 or w/e that spawns but if you can detect them stealth goes out of the window. Considering the nations in the area I just can't see the need for a PAK-FA sized 5th gen aircraft.

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AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

It's less of a case of need then it is a case "everyone else has one, so we need one.". It's the same thing that's infecting the rest of the world. Does Austraila really need the F-35? Does Canada? Do the Netherlands? Why do you need stealth If your only priority is to defend your own airspace? Despite this, just about half the world has jumped on the damned band wagon.

And near enough half of that will probably cut drastically or leave altogether their F-35 pledges.

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AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

Oh most definitely, but I'm getting off topic here. Back to the cost aspect of my proposal, This aircraft would be still be cheaper that the F-22 and maybe even the F-35 (assuming the total cost of the system will go) and definitely cheaper than designing and building your own 5th gen aircraft after you factor in development costs. All the RoUK is buying is an airframe, no avionics, and no engines, which would lower the cost even further. The capability is mostly to show the Chinese that if you launch a stealth attack on us, we can respond in kind.

Well it all depends on how many you're going to buy/build and the systems that are going to go into it, will they be fitted to other aircraft as well? If not you'll have say 50 aircraft costing $150M USD each compared to 100 at I don't know $100M USD each. With the finite number you end up with what would be the point? For instance the UK's F-35 procurement. We were buying ~140 and that has been reduced to <50 which will in turn mean the unit costs go up again because we're buying less of them and you still have an inferior capability despite spending more.

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AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

How cooperating with Japan on an operational follow on to that tech demonstrator they're working at?

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That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error

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Buying in bulk reduces the cost. I was planning on around 150 aircraft. It would have engine and radar commonality with the updated F-15. Any thing less than 100 aircraft (especially with 5th gen aircraft) is pretty much pointless and a waste of money. This aircraft would be around the same price as a full capability F-35A. As to what Thiel said, cooperating with Japan to develope the engines and radar would cut the price even more. After all is said and done, the price for the RoUK would be just about the same as an F-35A per aircraft.

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