South Korea Inks Deal to Buy 20 Additional F-35A Fighters

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed on Wednesday that it had signed a contract with the U.S. government earlier this month to acquire 20 additional F-35A stealth fighter jets.

The letter of acceptance for the purchase was formally signed on December 8, subsequent to Washington's approval of the sale in September, Seoul-based Yonhap reported. Manufactured by U.S. aerospace company Lockheed Martin, the new jets are slated to be delivered to South Korea starting in 2027.

This procurement follows the South Korean Air Force's acquisition of 40 F-35As from 2019 to 2022, bringing their current fleet to 39. The decision to retire one F-35A was made earlier this month, prompted by significant damage sustained in a bird strike incident last year.

According to DAPA, the forthcoming F-35A stealth fighter jets will feature enhanced arms operational capabilities and security features compared to the existing fleet. The F-35A is recognized for its high-performance radar and stealth capabilities, enabling long-range strategic strikes while remaining undetected by adversaries.

The DAPA anticipates that this latest acquisition will fortify South Korea's "three-axis" defense system. Comprising the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation, a plan aimed at incapacitating North Korean leadership in a major conflict; the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike platform; and the Korea Air and Missile Defense system.

South Korea presently operates a total of 410 fighter jets, including F-35As, KF-16s, and F-15Ks, while North Korea maintains an estimated 810 fighters, as reported in the 2022 Defense White Paper released earlier this year.
The F-35A is considered superior when compared to North Korea's aging fleet of fighter jets, with the most advanced being an early version of Russia's MiG-29, developed in the 1970s.