South Korea’s Recent F-35A acquisition Could End the CVX Programme

According to a number of regional media agencies, the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) intention to acquire more F-35As has gained momentum under the current administration. The plan had been put off since South Korea’s CVX aircraft carrier programme was given priority. On June 29th, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that it had approved the preliminary plans for the acquisition on June 9th. Some claim that the decision casts doubt on the program’s future. If approved, the plan calls for the ROKAF to spend 3.9 trillion, or roughly $3 billion, to buy 20 more F-35As between 2023 and the late 2020s. Later this month, DAPA is anticipated to make the final decision. Four years after the ROKAF first put forth the proposal in 2018, the new development has just occurred. The plans were abandoned at the time because CVX F-35B purchases were prioritised. According to DAPA statement: “The decisions made at the subcommittee need to be given approval by the D