South Korea is reviving its KFX fighter program, with a potential production run of up to 250. If approved, the KFX will be developed as a Generation 4.5 rather than a fifth-generation fighter, making it simpler and cheaper than the original concept by dropping requirements for F-35-like stealth. Instead, the new fighter will combine a moderately reduced radar image with electronic jamming and agility.

The South Korean defense ministry is seeking a 29.6 trillion won ($25 billion) budget for 2010, cutting its original request because of the country’s economic problems. Nonetheless, the budget proposal that the ministry will submit Oct. 1 is still 3.8 percent greater than this year’s allocation. In June the ministry asked for a 7.9 percent increase, similar to the hike it had received this year. Still, parliament could refuse to grant even the reduced request.

Air China and All Nippon Airways will put their flight codes on each other’s flights between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Beijing Capital Airport, effective Oct. 25. All Nippon will fly one of the daily services and Air China two. Haneda, which formerly handled only domestic flights, is introducing services to nearby Asian regional cities.