South Korean Air Force to Upgrade Faulty F-5 Ejection Seats

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has decided to equip its fleet of F-5 aircraft with advanced ejection seats to help save the lives of pilots in case of emergency landing.

The move comes after a month-long investigation into the cause of an F-5F jet crash in June 2010 that killed two pilots, according to the Korea Times.

About 50bn won ($4.2m) will be spent to upgrade the ejection seats of 150 F-5s, which will be deployed by the ROKAF between 2011 and 2013.

The air force operates 170 of 480 F-5 fighters, which accounts for 35% of South Korea’s air power.