South Korea Approved to Buy 25 F-35 Jets for $5.06 Billion

The United States has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of F-35 Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $5.06 billion.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested to buy up to 25 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft; Electronic Warfare (EW) Reprogramming Lab support; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); classified software delivery and support besides major modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support, to include Block 4 upgrade.

The proposed sale will augment Korea’s operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and airto-ground self-defense capability. Korea already has F-35s in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.