40 F-35s for S Korea
In September 2013, the government decided to re-tender the deal, following the air force’s reiteration that it wants to introduce a ‘stealthy aircraft’.
Meanwhile, the ROK Air Force plans to advance upgrade of its Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighters. Worth an estimated $200 million, and to be conducted via the US government’s Foreign Military Sales mechanism, the proposed phase one contract includes elements such as new computers, displays, sensors and weapons, and also some software development.
South Korea is to procure 40 Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to meet its F-X III requirement, following a decision by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on 22 November. Deliveries will begin in 2018, with the programme to be conducted through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales mechanism. South Korea will also have an option to buy 20 more of the aircraft later. The original F-X III requirement was for 60 fighters, but following a competition also involving the Eurofighter Typhoon, the only type to come in below its US $7.7 billion budget was Boeing’s proposed F-15SE.