Data from South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) show that the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters of the organization were operationally unprepared on 234 occasions in the 18-month period. The unavailability of the 5th generation aircraft was caused by breakdowns.
The figures were presented by deputy Shin Won-sik, from the People's Power Party. According to him, the ROKAF's own data show that the jets "invisible to the radar" were completely grounded in 172 cases. On another 62 occasions, the F-35s could even fly, but were unable to carry out certain missions.
The lawmaker still says grounded F-35s could fly missions for just 12 days on average last year and 11 days in the first half of this year. In contrast, fighters F-4E Phantom II e F-5E / F Tiger II, much older, were grounded only 26 and 28 times, respectively, over the same period.
Shin released the data emphasizing that the South Korean military must go to great lengths not only to introduce these cutting-edge weapons systems, but also to maintain them.
The Air Force, on the other hand, said there were no issues maintaining the readiness posture as the F-35As reached their target operating rate of 75%. At the same time, the ROKAF recognizes problems in acquiring parts for the fighter plane, adding that it will work to receive them quickly from the manufacturer, the North American Lockheed Martin.
The deployment of the 40 F-35s was completed by South Korea in January this year. The deputy's denunciation occurs at the same time that the country develops the KF-21 Boramae, a 4.5 generation model that bears enormous design similarities to the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 itself, but it is not a stealth fighter.
The new jet, which still may have a naval version, should enter into operation from 2026, replacing the country's F-4 and F-5.
With information Yonhap, EurasianTimes
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