South Korea has confirmed its intention to deploy an additional 20 F-35A fighter aircraft by 2028 to further bolster its aerial strike capabilities amid concerns over Pyongyang¡¯s rapid military buildup and growing missile arsenal.
The country¡¯s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that the Defense Project Promotion Committee has endorsed a ¡°basic¡± strategy ¡ª subject to adjustments following a feasibility study and other procedures ¡ª to acquire the multirole stealth fighters from the United States under a 3.9 trillion won ($2.9 billion) program expected to begin in 2023 and be completed five years later.
The project, which DAPA says is in line with South Korea¡¯s ¡°future battlefield operations concept,¡± will expand the country¡¯s F-35A fleet to 60.
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