On the 13th (local time), the U.S. Department of State provisionally approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of F-35 stealth fighter jets to South Korea.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the Department of State has provisionally approved South Korea's request to purchase F-35 fighter jets and related equipment worth approximately $5.06 billion (about 6.7 trillion KRW).
The purchase package includes up to 25 F-35 fighter jets, engines, electronic warfare equipment, logistics, and technical support.
In March, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration of Korea held the 150th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee meeting and decided to procure about 20 additional F-35A fighter jets tasked with covert strikes on North Korea's nuclear and missile facilities in case of emergency.
DSCA explained, "The proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy goals and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a key ally, a force that helps political stability and economic development in the Indo-Pacific region."
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