South Korean Air Force to receive 20 additional Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs.

On December 27, 2023, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) confirmed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) signed with the United States government for the procurement of 20 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter aircraft, as reported by Clément Charpentreau in AeroTime. This acquisition was authorized by the United States in September 2023, allowing for the potential purchase of up to 25 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighters.

Follow Air Recognition on Google News at this link

The 20 newly acquired F-35As are slated to be integrated into the ROKAF fleet by 2027, supplementing the existing 39 F-35As already in service (Picture source: Lockheed Martin/Mikaela Maschmeier)

These newly acquired aircraft are slated to be integrated into the ROKAF fleet by 2027, supplementing the existing 39 F-35As already in service. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of South Korea, the forthcoming F-35As are expected to feature improved weapons systems and heightened security capabilities when compared to the current fleet of fighter jets.

The decision to acquire these fifth-generation fighters aligns with South Korea's strategic defense framework, known as the "three-axis defense system." This system encompasses the Korea Massive Punishment & Retaliation (KMPR) system, the Kill Chain preemptive strike system, and the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) anti-missile shield. DAPA commented that the F-35A plays a pivotal role in shaping the Korean three-axis system by addressing North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile threats while addressing power disparities with neighboring nations.

The initial batch of F-35As was delivered and domestically deployed between 2019 and 2022. The additional aircraft procured under this second project are expected to demonstrate notable improvements in performance, including enhanced threat response capabilities, advanced encryption and security features, and increased armed operational capabilities.

The Republic of Korea selected the F-35 Lighting II for its F-X III fighter program in 2014. The ROKAF’s 17th Fighter Wing operates the F-35 out of Cheongju Air Base.