A delegation from the Israeli Air Force (IAF) will visit South Korea this week to examine the T-50 Golden Eagle fighter, one of the contenders to replace the air force’s aging Skyhawk fleet.

The IAF intends to acquire 20-30 light attack jets to be used in advanced stages of combat pilot training.

The T-50, used in the South Korean Air Force as a light attack jet and for training purposes, has been developed by Korean Airspace and Lockheed Martin.

Other contenders include T-45, an American model of the British Hawk training aircraft, and the M-346 built by the Italian firm Alenia Aermacchi.

The Skyhawk has supported bombing and close air support missions and a several of them presently serve in the IAF 102 squadron and pilot training school.