The South Korean Air Force reported their US-made stealth jet, the F-35A, has been experiencing severe maintenance problems that have prompted the grounding of the units. The performance of these fighters is compounded by marring defects and avionics, which were unexpected.
Defense Against Pyongyang's Advance
Ironically, the premier western 5th generation fighter as the main line of defense against North Korea cannot go without these awful setbacks, reported Defense PK.
As stated on October 4 by a South Korean lawmaker, the nation's F-35s were labeled as operationally unprepared 234 times within 18 months, ending in June due to system failures, noted Yonhap News Agency.
Rep. Shin Won-sik of the ruling People Power Party provided Air Force data to illustrate the problems the South Korean Air Force is experiencing in making F-35s usable. Throughout that time, the fighters were grounded 172 times, as he said.
South Korea's Report Regarding the Plane's Issues
More details added that 62 cases were flying but not completing missions. Shin exposed the need for the military to work hard to keep the plane flying; despite defects.
Yonhap shows that the stealth jets could fly for 12 days last year and for 11 days in the first half of 2022. However, compared to older models like the F4-E and F-5, which were run 26 to 28 times each.
In contrast, the South Korean Air Force indicated that its F-35 complied with its target operation rate of 75%, denoting that sustaining the preparedness stance wasn't a concern with severe maintenance problems.
One of the sources remarked that having defects in the most recent version of the US stealth fighter is not optimal, and spare parts availability is not a welcome dilemma. Also, they added, the needed components will be sourced from the aerospace firm that built it.
It's worth remembering that Australia gained notoriety when it revealed plans to invest a staggering AUD14.6 billion ($10.87 billion) to sustain its Lightning II fleet working till 2053, citing the EurAsian Times.
All through February 2022, official documents indicate that Australia's Stealth fighters would spend fewer hours in the air than initially expected. This sparked a nationwide discussion about the potential and survivability of the Royal Australian Air Force.
These planes were in the design phase when Australia consented in 2002 to consider buying up to 100 aircraft. US government and defense giant Lockheed Martin pressed for this commitment. Correspondingly, the US Air Force seems to be extremely worried that its outmoded F-35s are all now nothing but retraining planes.
Furthermore, in 2021, the US Air Force's deputy chief of staff, Lt. Gen. S Clinton Hinote, articulated grave reservations about outdated systems, recognizing that the stealth jet being produced might not be enough to deal with what China and Russia are cooking up.
He stated that a war scenario concentrating on the potential of protecting Taiwan from Chinese aerial assault demonstrated that almost every jet that rolls off the line today is indeed a combatant, which wouldn't bother placing into these circumstances.
South Korea requested 40 F-35A planes for its Air Force in 2014 under a $6.4 billion contract. The South Korean Air Force, like the US Air Force, continues to operate the F-35, with the initial plane provided by the supplier in 2018.
The South Korean Air Force reported that the US-Made stealth jet, the F-35 had severe maintenance problems affecting its ability as a key player against North Korea.
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