The wait is over. The KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and one of the most eye-catching symbols of South Korea’s rapidly growing domestic defence industry, is at ADEX 2023. Do not be surprised if the...
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The wait is over.
The KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and one of the most eye-catching symbols of South Korea’s rapidly growing domestic defence industry, is at ADEX 2023. Do not be surprised if the jet ends up attracting the most attention among all the products and capabilities being showcased at the show.
KF-21’s public debut comes at a time when the United Arab Emirates has expressed interest in joining the combat jet development programme. Indonesia is a partner and is picking up 20 per cent of the developmental costs, but delayed payments from Jakarta has led to concerns about its continued involvement in the program.
Reports indicate that Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may be one of the high-profile visitors to the show. It may be recalled that the UAE had promised to invest US$30 billion in South Korean industries such as defence, nuclear power, hydrogen and solar energy.
The KF-21, a ‘4.5-generation’ multirole platform, is slated to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF)’s ageing fleet of F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft. The service is likely to acquire 40 KF-21s by 2028 and another 80 aircraft of the type by 2032. The twin-engine jets will come in single- and two-seat versions.
In April 2021, KAI unveiled the first KF-21 prototype. The homegrown supersonic fighter jet flew for the first time in July last year. KAI’s fleet of six KF-21 prototypes are scheduled to conduct more than 2,000 test flights until 2026, when mass production of Block 1 for the ROKAF is expected to commence. As per reports, the 40 Block 1 jets will be integrated with Diehl Defense AIM-2000 (IRIS-T), Meteor, JDAM, LJDAM and the locally developed KGGB guided bomb. The initial production aircraft will be optimised for air-to-air combat and will have limited air-to-ground capabilities. Eighty Blk. 2 jets with full air-to-ground capability will be delivered from 2028.
According to reports, the service is also considering a Block 3 variant, one with stealth and joint-operation capability as well as an enlarged fuselage that could include an internal weapons bay. The Korean military also has plans to place hypersonic missiles, which are currently in development, on the combat jet.
The KF-21 can carry beyond-visual-range missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, and precision-guided munitions. The jet’s operational range, estimated to be around 1,800 miles, allows it to conduct long-range missions and perform air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions effectively.
In April this year, the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that KAI had successfully test-fired an AIM-2000 InfraRed Imaging System-Tail control (IRIS-T) missile from the KF-21. In March, the company launched the Meteor air-to-air missile from the fighter jet.
The KF-21 further opens export possibilities for the South Korean defence industry. Even though it lacks the stealth qualities of the F-35, the aircraft is expected to be considerably less expensive than the U.S.-made jet and will be an attractive proposition for countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Iraq that already are operating the indigenously developed FA-50 light-attack fighter.
According to reports, Poland, which signed tank and howitzer contracts worth US$5.8 billion with two South Korean companies, is considering the KF-21 as an option for its planned purchase of multi-role combat aircraft to secure the eastern flank of NATO. In September last year, the European nation had signed a US$2.3 billion contract to buy 48 FA-50 light combat aircraft manufactured by KAI.
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