South Korea's military procurement agency has delayed the competition process for a new indigenously built fighter aircraft.

Korea Times , quoting an official of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said the delay to the KF-X program was the result of only one competitor submitting a bid by the Feb. 9 deadline for the $8 billion contract.

"The Korea Aerospace Industries was found to be the sole applier after closing the bid Monday," an official of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said. "The process for the second bid will start Tuesday and be closed on Feb. 24."

Korean law stipulates that at least two bids were needed for the competition to move forward. DAPA initially planned to review proposals and pick a preferred bidder by next month.

Korean Air late last week said it was going to submit a joint bid for building and F-16 type fighter with Airbus Defense and Space but failed to do so. No reason was given for the absence of its bid.

Korea Aerospace Industries is partnered with Lockheed Martin in the new aircraft competition.