Washington [US], September 14: The US State Department "gave the green light" to the plan to sell 25 more F-35 fighters to South Korea.
AFP news agency on September 14 reported that the US has just approved a plan to sell additional F-35 stealth fighters worth $5 billion to South Korea, amid increasing tensions with North Korea.
The US State Department notified Congress of its approval of the plan to sell 25 F-35s manufactured by Lockheed Martin, as well as related engines and equipment.
"This sale will improve South Korea's ability to counter current and future threats by providing a credible defense capability for regional deterrence and ensuring interoperability with US forces," according to a statement from the US State Department.
The agency added that this equipment sale and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
South Korea has operated the F-35 fighter since 2018. The US only sells this aircraft to its closest partners, of which Turkey was removed from the F-35 program after purchasing the defense system. missile defense from Russia.
This deal takes place as tensions continue to increase with North Korea, as Pyongyang conducts its latest missile tests.
The US has strengthened trilateral cooperation with Japan and South Korea, allies that are home to the US military.
During a summit last month at Camp David near Washington DC, US President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised closer cooperation on North Korea and other challenges. other consciousness.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper