All Aero

Following the KF-21’s maiden flight on 19 July 2022, five additional prototypes were set to join the flight test campaign from October 2022, according to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The developmental Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae fighter continued to expand its flight envelope in September 2022, with more prototypes set to join the testing campaign.

Overall, the development was expected to be completed by 2026.

DAPA’s programme update coincided with a 28 September ceremony at KAI’s factory at Sacheon attended by South Korean government officials and Indonesia’s defence establishment – Jakarta is a 20% partner in the W8.8 trillion ($6.15 billion) programme.

Eom also told Yonhap that Jakarta has paid just 30% of its share via unspecified “in-kind” payments, and that no payments have been made since 2017.

Jakarta’s tardiness with payments has been a persistent issue for the programme, although Indonesian president Joko Widodo and South Korean president Yoon Suk-Yeol reaffirmed their countries’ joint commitment to the KF-21 in July.

At present, 37 Indonesian personnel are in South Korea working on the project, and Herindra indicates that the aim is to raise this number to 100.

Powered by two GE Aviation F414 engines, the KF-21 will replace McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms and Northrop F-5s in South Korean service. Seoul is expected to obtain 120 and Indonesia 50, while the former also hopes to sell the type on the export market.

At the DX Korea 2022 show, KAI displayed a model of a prospective naval variant, the KF-21N. Media reports indicate that the jet would be capable of operations from both catapult assisted take-off but arrested recovery and STOBAR short take-off but arrested recovery vessels.

The KAI KF-21 Boramae (meaning “hawk” in Korean) represents South Korea’s emergence as a major player in the global aerospace industry.

Powered by two General Electric F414 engines—the same that power the Super Hornet—the KF-21 reaches Mach 1.8 (2,200 km/h).

At approximately $74 million per unit, it offers near-fifth-generation capabilities at fourth-generation prices.

With 120 aircraft planned for South Korean service by 2032.