South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that it signed a contract with Lockheed Martin Corp. on December 8, to purchase 20 additional F-35A stealth fighter jets from the United States aerospace company.
The signing came after Washington approved the sale in September and it will bring Seoul's current number of F-35A jets from 39 to 59. The fighters will be delivered in 2027 and will possess enhanced "arms operational capabilities," as well as amplified security features when compared to the currently owned fighters. Among the attributes the F-35A possesses, South Korea is especially leaning on its high-performance radar and aptitude for stealth.
The move is reflective of Seoul's efforts to enhance its response capabilities against any North Korean threat, DAPA stated.
