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By Yi Whan-woo
The United States is considering deploying F-22 and F-35B stealth jets rotationally on the Korean Peninsula in consultation with South Korea, according to military sources in Seoul, Sunday.
The possible deployment comes as part of efforts to bolster extended deterrence against North Korea's fast-growing nuclear and ballistic missile threats, including its sixth nuclear test, Sunday.
The move is also believed to be in line with Seoul's growing demand for deployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.
"The F-22 and F-35B are expected to maximize fear in North Korea while settling concerns over security in the South by showing U.S. determination on extended deterrence," a source said.
The possible deployment plans include dispatching F-22 Raptors and F-35B Lightning IIs every three months.
They will be deployed in either Osan, Gyeonggi Province or Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, where the U.S. Air Force Bases are located.
It would take 10 minutes from Osan and 20 minutes from Gunsan for the U.S. stealth jets to arrive over Pyongyang.
"They would not be detected by North Korea's air defense network. This could raise fear among the North Korean leadership, as they can't predict where precision strikes would be made," a source said.
An F-22 can fly at a speed of mach 2.5 and its operational range is up to 2,177 kilometers.
It can carry six AIM-120C and two AIM-9 missiles for its primary air-to-air role or carries two 1,000 pound-class Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), two AIM-120C, and two AIM-9 missiles for ground attacks.
An F35-B can carry a JDAM and a GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II.
Seoul to have more powerful missiles
Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to enhance Seoul's missile capabilities in a telephone conversation, Friday.
During their talks, Trump stressed the importance of sending a strong and clear message to the reclusive North.
"The two leaders reached an agreement in principle to revise the bilateral missile guidelines to the extent hoped by the South Korea," a Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said.
Seoul earlier cited a need to revise the guidelines between the allies to increase the maximum payload of South Korean missiles to 1 ton from the current 500 kilograms.
Moon and Trump will meet later in the month when the South Korean president visits New York for a session of the U.N. General Assembly.
