The Korean Air Force has its eye on purchasing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, reports The Korea Herald, which notes that Seoul won’t complete purchase of 40 new F-15Ks until 2008. Because the JSF won’t start being deployed until after 2010 reportedly makes it a nice fit with South Korea’s planned “second phase” acquisition of next-generation fighters.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.