Ministry of National Defense: "F-35 Budget Cut Next Year Will Not Affect Operational Capability"

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[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Ministry of National Defense: No Impact on Power Enhancement Plan Despite F-35A Budget Cuts in 2nd Supplementary Budget

The Ministry of National Defense stated on the 2nd that the reduction of 560 billion KRW from the defense budget, including the F-35A fighter jet procurement budget, during the government's process of increasing the 2nd supplementary budget, will have "no impact on the power enhancement plan." This was a rebuttal to criticisms that cutting the F-35A budget to fund disaster relief payments was problematic.

At a regular briefing that day, Ministry spokesperson Bu Seung-chan responded to the question, "There are criticisms that cutting the advanced fighter jet budget to provide national disaster relief payments has caused setbacks in power enhancement," by saying, "The cuts were made through the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Committee review process, and there are no changes to the F-35A power enhancement schedule or project plan."

Spokesperson Bu emphasized, "The reduction details are related to foreign exchange gains, bid price differences, and budget execution limits within the year, and are unrelated to changes in the project plan," adding, "There is no impact on the power enhancement plan due to the supplementary budget cuts."

He further stated, "For projects reduced due to changes in business conditions in this supplementary budget, we plan to reflect them in next year's budget formulation process in consultation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to ensure normal project progress in the future."

According to the Nara Salrim Research Institute, among the 42 projects whose budgets were cut by the National Assembly during this year's supplementary budget review, 22 projects were related to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and were not even included in the supplementary budget proposal.

The Nara Salrim Research Institute analyzed the DAPA budget cuts, stating, "Considering that the reductions proceeded without even preliminary review by the National Defense Committee, it is presumed to be a reduction by adjusting the procurement timing." While there is no change in the existing weapons plan, it may be the result of adjustments in payment timing. In this case, it is also possible to interpret that funds scheduled for payment next year are being advanced for use this year.