South Korea selects the F-35A for its F-X III programme

South Korea's defence procurement agency DAPA approved the purchase of forty F-35As, with an option on twenty more, closing the F-X III programme. The decision came after the country ruled out the Boeing F-15SE, which had been the only bidder within budget, on the grounds that it was not a fifth-generation aircraft. South Korea became the Lightning II's third foreign military sales customer.