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China-Japan-Koreas
Korea May Purchase New Fighter Jets from U.S.
2013-04-07
The Pentagon has approved sales of state-of-the-art fighter jets to Korea.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on its website Wednesday that it has notified the U.S. Congress that Seoul wants to purchase either 60 Lockheed Martin F-35s or 60 Boeing F-15s. The F-35s would cost an estimated US$10.8 billion, while the F-15s are presumed to cost roughly $8 billion, though official figures were not released.

Seoul says it will replace its current F-4 and F-5 jets by purchasing the new fighters directly from Washington or consider buying another model, the Eurofighter Typhoon built by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company.

Seoul is expected to announce its decision between June and November.
Posted by:Steve White

#10  Building on pappy's statments: I was on the Ranger (CV-61) during that time, w/ VA-155. VA-145 was the other Intruder squadron. Ranger was assigned night bomb runs, another CV had days. While shooting them off full and catching them empty wasn't new, watching the explosions on CNN was.
Bring back Rockeye!
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2013-04-07 21:29  

#9  This was Highway 80 [the highway of death].

Having had a (quite minor) role in that, I can add a few clarifiers.

The initial attack was done by an A-6 crew. Took out the head of the column, then the rear. The rest got bogged down trying to get around.

Most of the column wasn't armor, but transport and civilian vehicles (and booty) looted from Kuwait. The Iraqi troops were regular forces; conscripts of dubious quality. The Republican Guard had left nearly a day earlier.

After the initial attacks, anything with wings that could carry a bomb was sent out.

It was a singular oddity and quite unlike what a NorK assault would be.
Posted by: Pappy   2013-04-07 13:10  

#8  The Lightning v1 would be good enough to beat the Norks in air combat.

I still like the fact there's a few Canberras flying around war-zones.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2013-04-07 12:53  

#7  This was Highway 80 [the highway of death]. Kinetic technology has progressed substantially since 1991.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-04-07 12:47  

#6  given the artillery that Nork has and the massive human wave they'd likely throw at the south, I'd rather get A-10s. Tear those hungry bastards to shreds
Posted by: Frank G   2013-04-07 11:47  

#5  ...The F-15 was a genuine horror show when it first came into service not only because of the usual teething troubles (as is the -35) but because the USAF made the premeditated decision to buy airplanes but nowhere near enough spares to keep them flying.

The F-35 isn't having any more problems than a plane of its advanced technology should be having. The problem is that because that technology is so advanced, even the slightest glitch will require a lot of money to fix it.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2013-04-07 08:06  

#4  I thought the main threat to them was Nork artillery?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2013-04-07 06:19  

#3  The F-15s would be a better fit, both operationally and financially.
Would not be surprised to see F-35 procurement numbers/rate drop quite a bit, if recent DoD rumblings are to be believed. Would also not be surprised to see it terminated ala A-12 due to budget woes. Civ pers furloughs keep getting pushed back, and any serious attempts to reduce acdu pay benefits is a non starter, so money has to come from somewhere.
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2013-04-07 03:08  

#2  F-16's & F-15's had their problems when they first came out.
That's the price of being at the cutting edge.
Posted by: Blossom the Bunyip7551   2013-04-07 02:58  

#1  haven't the f-35s had some bad reviews of late?
Posted by: chris   2013-04-07 01:02  

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