The US Government authorized the possible sale of 25 Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth generation fighters to the Republic of South Korea.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a statement informing of the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS), for US$5.06 billion, of 25 new F-35A (conventional take-off and landing version) for the Republic of Korea Air Force.

In addition to the fifth-generation fighters, the package offered by Washington to Seoul comprises up to 26 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (25 installed, 1 spare). Also included are AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL); KIV-78 Cryptographic Appliques; Electronic Warfare (EW) Reprogramming Lab support; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); classified software delivery and support; Contractor Logistics Support (CLS); aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair/return support; aircraft engine component improvement program (CIP) support; etc.

On route to Block 4

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) currently has 40 operational F-35As (conventional takeoff and landing version for ground operations), out of the 60 it was authorized to acquire in 2013 via FMS.

See also: South Korea goes for more F-35 fighters and SM-6 missiles to strengthen air defense

The Defense Acquisition Programs Administration (DAPA) reported in March of this year the approval by the Defense Projects Promotion Committee of the budget necessary for the purchase of some twenty new F-35As for the Air Force, for 2.85 billion dollars. But as the present US offer also includes the upgrade of F-35s from the ROKAF to the future Block 4 (which includes significant improvements in capabilities), the cost almost doubled.