[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Reinitiating F-35 Acquisition Delayed by COVID-19

On the 1st, in celebration of Armed Forces Day, F-35A stealth fighters are flying in formation at the Daegu Air Force Base (11th Fighter Wing) during the '71st Armed Forces Day event.' / Daegu=Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been reported that the introduction of the latest stealth fighter F-35A has resumed. The original plan was to complete the acquisition of 26 units by this year, thereby establishing a core force of the military's 'strategic strike system.'

On the 3rd, a military official said, "Originally, 13 units were to be introduced last year, 13 units this year, and 14 units next year, but the acquisition was suspended in February this year due to COVID-19," adding, "The acquisition resumed last month, and currently 20 units have been deployed."

The military planned to acquire 13 units last year, 13 units this year, and 14 units next year. However, the acquisition was suspended in February this year due to COVID-19. The introduction of the F-35A resumed last month, and currently 20 units have been acquired. The Air Force introduced 13 F-35As last year and plans to acquire 13 more this year and 14 next year, aiming to operationalize a total of 40 units by 2021. The F-35A is a strategic asset that North Korea is highly sensitive about because it can stealthily infiltrate enemy territory and strike nuclear and ICBM facilities or war command centers.

Nicknamed the 'Freedom Knight,' the F-35A is an all-weather fighter capable of precision strikes against air, ground, and sea targets. As a stealth fighter, the F-35A can avoid detection by enemy radar and precisely strike targets. The F-35A measures 15.7 meters in length, 4.38 meters in height, and 10.7 meters in wingspan, and can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.8. It is equipped with a maximum armament capacity of 8.2 tons, including air-to-air missiles, Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), and Small Diameter Bombs (SDB). Its maximum range is 2,170 km, and its combat radius exceeds 1,000 km. The price per unit is known to be approximately 119 billion KRW. So far, 13 units of the F-35A have been acquired. The Air Force plans to secure and operationalize a total of 40 units by acquiring an additional 13 units next year and 14 units in 2021. The budget for this is reported to be 7.4 trillion KRW.