South Korea is seeking to export supersonic T-50 trainer jets to the U.S.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said that the U.S. is considering buying up to 500 new trainer jets to replace its aging fleet of T-38 trainers and that the South Korean T-50 is one of the final candidates being considered.

An official from the administration said that the U.S. will make a decision by 2012 on whether it will buy new trainer jets or will repair its current fleet.

The U.S. is known to be considering South Korea’s T-50, the M-346 of Italy and the Hawk 128 of Britain.

The South Korean government is also attempting to sell its T-50 trainer jets to Indonesia and Poland.