A stealth fighter jet, the F-35A, recognized as a strategic asset capable of striking North Korea’s key targets, is being considered for distributed deployment by the military.
As of today (the 25th), the Air Force has commenced initial efforts to disperse the deployment bases for the F-35A to ensure greater survivability in case of emergencies. Currently, all 39 F-35A jets are stationed at the Chungju Air Base, home to the 17th Fighter Wing of the Air Force.
Following a decision made last year to procure an additional 20 F-35A units at a cost of approximately 3.75 trillion won, the military plans to deploy this second batch at a different base instead of Chungju. The F-35A plays a crucial role in the “Kill Chain,” a preemptive strike system designed to eliminate clear signs of an imminent nuclear or missile threat from North Korea. Mobile targets, like Transporter Erector Launchers (TEL), fall within its operational scope. Additionally, in the event of North Korea deploying nuclear weapons or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs), the F-35A would be utilized in the Korean Massive Punishment & Retaliation (KMPR) strategy to eliminate war command structures.
The F-35A leverages its stealth capabilities that surpass North Korea’s air defense detection capacity to conduct highly precise strikes. Given its strategic purpose to remove key targets during crises, the military aims to operate it efficiently and securely by dispersing its deployment instead of concentrating them solely at the Chungju base.
Previously, in March of last year, North Korea disclosed footage of launching six new tactical guided short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), assessing the combat readiness of the units tasked with covering enemy operational airfields on the western front. As such, Chungju Air Base, identified as part of these targeted operational airfields, is a regular target of North Korea, prompting the consideration for dispersed deployment of the F-35A.