The US Air Force will retire its A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet in its key Indo-Pacific bases, including South Korea, as part of its modernization strategy.
The 25th Fighter Squadron at the South Korean Osan Air Base will begin the phased withdrawal of its 24 A-10s from January next year to the end of fiscal year 2025.
They will be replaced by fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, as the Seventh Air Force’s F-16s are getting avionics system upgrades for increased survivability and accuracy.
Additionally, F-35s will enhance the service’s situational awareness and strike precision, while the F-15EX is set to improve its air-to-air and air-to-ground combat effectiveness.
“By introducing advanced fourth and fifth-generation aircraft like our upgraded (F-16 Fighting Falcons), along with (F-35 Lightning IIs) and (F-15EX Eagle IIs) in the Pacific region, we are significantly enhancing our overall air combat capabilities in the Korean theater,” Seventh Air Force Commander and US Forces Korea Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. David Iverson said.
Further, this move “bolsters deterrence against North Korea and reaffirms the ironclad US security commitment to the South Korea-US alliance,” the press release read.
Iverson also noted that the modernization strategy shows the service’s “dedication to evolving and adapting our forces to meet the demands of the 21st century.”
“We will continue to deliver overwhelming, unmatched combat airpower, ensuring that our defenses remain effective in safeguarding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Earlier in November, the US approved a $4.92 billion military package of four E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, 10 jet engines, and other systems and support for its East Asian ally.