The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to South Korea of munitions and related equipment for its F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs), the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency reported on 1 December.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 271 M (EUR 249 M), has been forwarded to the US Congress for final approval.
South Korea has requested to buy 39 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs); two AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections; 88 KMU-556 tail kits for the GBU-31v1 Joint Direct-Attack Munition (JDAM); 86 Mk-84 general-purpose (GP) 2,000 lb (907 kg) bombs for the GBU-31v1 JDAM; 70 KMU-557 tail kits for the GBU-31v3 JDAM; 70 BLU-109C/B 2,000 lb bombs for the GBU-31v3 JDAM; 78 KMU- 572 tail kits for the GBU-54 Laser JDAM (LJDAM); 269 MAU-169 computer control groups/guidance sections for the GBU-12 Paveway II; 269 MXU-650 air foil groups for the GBU-12 Paveway II; 342 Mk-82 500 lb (227 kg) GP bombs for the GBU-12 Paveway II or GBU-54 LJDAM; 12 Mk-82 inert bombs; 35 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb – Increment 1 (SDB-I) all-up rounds (AURs) with containers; and 118 GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb – Increment 2 (SDB-II) AURs.
Also included are AIM-120 control section spares and containers; DSU-38 laser-illuminated target detectors; SDB-I tactical training rounds and carriage systems; SDB-II Practical Explosive Ordnance Disposal Trainers and Weapon Load Crew Trainers; FMU-139 fuzes; Common Munitions Built-in-Test (BIT)/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); ADU-891 adapter group computer test sets; Mk-84 practice bombs and other training bombs/components; and various other aspects of munitions, programme, training, maintenance, technical, logistics, engineering and technical support.
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is currently taking delivery of 40 F-35A conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) JSFs that were ordered in 2014 and in September 2023 had an FMS request for a further 25 F-35As approved.
The ROKAF declared an initial operational capability with its F-35A fleet on 17 December 2020.
It remains to be seen whether South Korea will also follow through on plans to buy a contingent of F-35B short take-off/vertical landing JSFs for its future aircraft carrier project.
