In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a South Korean Air Force F-35A fighter jet takes off during the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise between the US and South Korea at an undisclosed air base in South Korea, Aug 21, 2023. (SOUTH KOREA DEFENSE MINISTRY VIA AP)

SEOUL - South Korea signed a contract to buy 20 more F-35A stealth fighter jets, manufactured by the US arms company Lockheed Martin, Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday, citing the arms procurement agency.

South Korea purchased a total of 40 F-35A stealth fighters between 2019 and 2022, but one fighter jet retired as it was strongly damaged by a bird strike in January last year

The letter of acceptance (LOA) for the purchase of the combat planes was signed with the US government on Dec 8, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) was quoted as saying.

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The country purchased a total of 40 F-35A stealth fighters between 2019 and 2022, but one fighter jet retired as it was strongly damaged by a bird strike in January last year.

The additional US stealth fighters were scheduled to be delivered to South Korea beginning in 2027.