South Korea has included the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA fifth-generation fighter in a shortlist for its acquisition of advanced fighter aircraft, a Russian arms industry think-tank has said.

The tender shortlist forms part of Korea’s plans to procure 60 foreign fighter jets with stealth capability.

The Korean Government has earmarked an estimated $7.86bn under a programme code-named FX-III for the project.

RIA Novosti quoted sources reporting that the Russian Sukhoi fighter would be up against with the US F-15SE Silent Eagle and the F-35 Lightning II, as well as EADS’s Eurofighter Typhoon.

South Korea is expected to announce the tender winner in 2012, with deliveries slated for four years later.