The
Republic of Korea has formally selected the F-35A version of the Joint Strike
Fighter as the winner of its F-X fighter competition, and will soon sign
letters of offer and acceptance with the US government for 40 of the aircraft,
to be delivered starting in 2018,
announced
manufacturer Lockheed Martin on Wednesday. The value of the deal was not
immediately released, but is expected to be in excess of $7 billion. The choice
brings the number of countries that will operate the F-35 to 12; Israel and
Japan have previously signed up as Foreign Military Sales customers for the
jet, joining the US and eight countries partnered in its development. An ROK
statement said the jet prevailed following negotiations over “technical
conditions, price, and offset,” the latter being F-35 production work to be
done by Korean companies. The ROK previously selected 60 Boeing F-15SE “Silent
Eagles” for the F-X competition but backpedaled earlier this year, effectively
re-opening
the contest and allowing Lockheed Martin to quote prices reflecting lower
costs on recent production lots. JSF program leader
Lt.
Gen. Christopher Bogdan said “this is a good day for the F-35 and we look
forward to working with” the ROK government.
