South Korean fighter jets have faced a massive blow after two separate incidents, leaving many questioning their reliability. A day after a Philippine-made South Korean FA-50 fighter jet crashed, killing both pilots on board, a South Korean F-16 accidentally dropped bombs on a civilian location during a live-fire drill.
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) grounded almost all its aircraft, excluding those involved in reconnaissance operations and emergency responses. The move came after an unidentified source attributed the accidental bombing to pilot error, stating that the pilot entered incorrect coordinates.
In a separate incident earlier this week, a Philippine-made F-50PH crashed, killing both pilots aboard while conducting counter-insurgency operations. The South Korean Air Force is evaluating the option to acquire additional FA-50 fighters amid rising tensions with North Korea and China.
North Korea has warned that the upcoming joint military drills between South Korea and the US will result in a “storm” that worsens security on the Korean Peninsula. The drills, scheduled for March 10-20, have sparked concerns among regional powers.
Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/bad-time-for-south-korean-fighter-jets-dropping-of-bombs