US twisted Seoul's arm in drone deal

[ensho]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/MI29Dg01.html


An investigation of leaked United States diplomatic cables surrounding the planned sale of US surveillance drones to South Korea reveals that Washington has exerted considerable diplomatic pressure to smooth the deal, even as media were reporting the Pentagon was reluctant over the sale.

South Korean media reported this week that Seoul was mulling the cancelation of a deal to purchase by 2015 four RQ-4 Global Hawks - a high-altitude endurance remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) - after Washington more than doubled the initial asking price from 450 billion (US$385 million) won to 940 billion won.

-very long snip about the up front and behind dealing of our Pentagon brass over the deal. and why the price went up. -

"Will the public and the National Assembly accept it if we buy the reconnaissance drones by spending far more than we can afford, no matter how important the bilateral alliance is and how essential the Global Hawks are for our preparations to take over full operational control?" a military source asked in Chosun Ilbo.
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Northrop Grumman will fill their pockets if the deal goes through and Korea will empty their pockets

[Lasher]

1. How refreshing, a country concerned about spending more than they can afford on military toys.

The only thing our government cares about is helping Northrop Grumman make money.

[ensho]

2. true

nt

[The Northerner]

3. K&R n/t