US nods to F-35 sales to South Korea

The US State Department approved the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets and related equipment to South Korea at an estimated cost of $5.06 billion, according to a statement on September 13.

Congress has been notified of the sale of up to 25 jets, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, per Anadolu.

"The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing credible defense capability to deter aggression in the region and ensure interoperability with U.S. forces," it said.

It noted the sale will augment Seoul's operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability.

"Korea already has F-35s in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces," it added.

The sale came amid North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches in violation of UN sanctions Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia.

Meanwhile, the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to South Korea from September 14-15 to co-lead with the Department of Defense the US Delegation to the fourth Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), according to the Department of State's statement published on September 13.

While in Seoul, Under Secretary Jenkins will co-chair the EDSCG meeting—the first to be held in Seoul—with acting U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker. They will engage with their ROK counterparts in comprehensive discussions covering diplomatic, informational, military, and economic policies and measures to strengthen Alliance deterrence on the Korean Peninsula and stability in the Indo-Pacific.