Korea to bring in 20 additional F-35As, Brazilian transport aircraft

Korea is adding Brazil's midsize transport aircraft, the Embraer C-390 Millennium, to its fleet of military airplanes.

Brazil's midsize transport aircraft, the Embraer C-390. [YONHAP]

South Korea is adding Brazil's transport aircraft, the Embraer C-390 Millennium, to its fleet of military airplanes.

This makes South Korea the first Asian country to purchase transport aircraft from Brazil.

The C-390, a two-engine jet, can carry 26 tons of cargo and travel 3,700 miles.

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the purchase on Monday.

The purchase is part of the 710 billion won ($541 million) Korean military program for securing transport aircraft.

DAPA said the C-390s will contribute to Korea's military aerial logistics capability and its peace-keeping campaign.

The C-390 beat Lockheed Martin's C-130J and Airbus's A400M in bidding.

DAPA said on the same day it has decided to bring in 20 additional F-35A fighter jets by 2028. The F-35s are developed by Lockheed Martin.

It said that by having additional high-performance stealth fighter jets, South Korea will be able to enhance its deterrence capabilities against North Korean nuclear threats.

DAPA also announced the plans to mass produce the K21 infantry fighting vehicles to replace the armored personnel carrier K200A1, as well as Korea

South Korea had 40 units of F-35A fighter jets deployed in January 2022, until one retired after a crash the same month.

DAPA also announced plans to mass produce the K21 infantry fighting vehicles, which will replace the armored personnel carrier K200AI, as well as Korea Aerospace Industries' Light Armed Helicopter, which will replace the military helicopters 500MD and AH-1S.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]