(Korea) F-35 purchase to set off air power vacuum

[unhappycamper]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/01/116_149071.html



Lockheed jets too expensive to meet Air Force’s numerical needs

F-35 purchase to set off air power vacuum
By Kang Seung-woo
2014-01-02 16:56

If Lockheed Martin wins Korea’s “next-generation” fighter program for 40 under-development F-35 Lightning IIs, it may entail a vacuum in air power, experts say.

In November, the military decided to buy stealth fighters. Because it was viewed to be the only one with such a capability among potential candidates, it was widely accepted that the Air Force had F-35s in mind.

But the problem is that Seoul is expected to finalize the F-35 order this year, aiming for the first delivery of the stealth jet in 2018.

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The current budget can secure only 40 F-35s with 8.3 trillion won ($7.8 billion) 60 F-X IIIs, but Lockheed says that amount could secure 52 or 53 F-35s.