The newest American F-35A fighter, operated by South Korean Air Force, made an emergency landing during the training flight. This is reported by the Agency “Renhap”.
The fighter landed “belly” on the runway at the Sosn Air Base, 151 kilometers south of Seoul. The cause of the emergency landing is a short-term chassis malfunction. The pilot was not injured.
According to an informed military source, this case is the first well-known emergency landing, which ever reported since the United States began to export F-35A fighters to foreign countries. Seoul and Washington plans to conduct a joint investigation of what happened. At the time of investigation, South Korea will suspend the operation of fighters of this type.
In 2013, South Korea as part of the fighter park update decided to buy 40 F-35A aircraft. Among the requirements that the Korean military impose aircraft, the ability to carry the rocket “air – air” and “air – earth”.
Korean authorities decided that, depending on the budget and the situation with external threats, they can buy another 20 F-35A. The decision about this Seoul will be taken no earlier than 2023. Purchases F-35A took place within a large-scale program to replace 150 outdated F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II fighters.