S Korean Air Force to Induct F-35 Jets in October

South Korea is set to induct eight of its new F-35A fighters on October 1, coinciding with the nation’s 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Air Force.

"Of the diverse options regarding the issue, we are reviewing the F-35As' participation in the ceremony slated for Oct 1," a government official was quoted as saying by local media.

Seoul has so far received 8 F-35s under its plan to deploy a total of 40 stealth fighters through 2021. Each aircraft is priced at around $107.5 million. The country plans to place an order for 20 more aircraft.  

A ceremony to publicize their introduction into the air force will be organized on that day. “The envisioned ceremony is likely to take place at the Air Force's 11th Fighter Wing base in the southeastern city of Daegu and the radar-evading warplanes are its key strategic weapon, showing them off to the public on the day would carry significance," the official said.

The F-35A fighters are designed to evade detection and have the latest electronics suite that can allows them to be effective in well defended airspace. They fly at a top speed of Mach 1.6 and have a range of 2,170 km, carrying up to 8.2 tons of missiles and bombs.