Seoul: The U.S. military has announced plans to decommission its fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft stationed in South Korea by the fiscal year 2025. This marks the end of a 42-year service period for these aircraft, which are being retired as part of the Air Force’s transition to more advanced military upgrades.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the decommissioning decision comes as the U.S. Air Force aims to modernize its military capabilities in response to evolving global security challenges, including potential threats from countries like China. The U.S. Forces Korea currently operates 24 A-10 aircraft, with retirements set to begin in January 2025.

In a statement, the Air Force emphasized the significance of this move within its broader modernization strategy, highlighting a shift from the A-10 Thunderbolt II to upgraded fourth-generation fighter jets and improved integration of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft in key regions, including South Korea. The fiscal year runs from October 1 of
one calendar year through September 30 of the next.

The U.S. military has already begun upgrading its F-16 fighter fleet, with the first enhanced jets introduced last year. In South Korea, the Air Force maintains three fighter squadrons of F-16 jets, each comprising approximately 25 aircraft. The A-10, known as the “Warthog,” was first introduced in the 1970s and was designed for close air support, specifically for engaging armored vehicles and tanks, and providing rapid support to ground troops in combat zones.