Latest news with #KF-21Boramae
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
KAI secures second W2.4tr KF-21 deal with Korea's defense agency
Korea Aerospace Industries has signed an additional KF-21 supply agreement worth 2.39 trillion won ($1.76 billion), selling 20 more of South Korea's next-generation fighter jets. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Friday, KAI is poised to deliver 20 KF-21 Boramae jets in addition to the first contract for the initial production of 20 units signed in June last year. This deal also includes providing technical manuals, education and follow-up logistical support for the jets. The KF-21 is Korea's first domestically developed 4.5-generation fighter jet, which will be introduced to the Air Force starting in the second half of 2026. Historically, the country has relied on foreign military technology — predominantly from the US. The jet is set to replace older aircraft, including the F-5, F-4 Phantom II, KF-16 and F-15K, and bolster Korea's air power. Powered by two General Electric F414 engines, the jet can reach up to Mach 1.8 —approximately 2,200 kilometers per hour — and support a wide range of weapons such as air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs and a cannon. DAPA recently announced that it carried out a successful flight test of a domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile, set to be integrated into the KF-21, highlighting the jet's deep-strike capabilities. The KF-21 also shows potential for exports to Indonesia, the UAE and other countries. Notably, Indonesia is a partner in the KF-21 fighter jet program and recently finalized a deal with Korea to fund 600 billion won as a contribution. 'The KF-21 symbolizes the remarkable growth of Korea's formerly nascent aerospace industry,' stated a KAI official. 'We are committed to enhancing our Air Force's capabilities and contributing to advancing the aerospace industry.' Meanwhile, DAPA signed an additional 623.2 billion won engine supply agreement with Hanwha Aerospace, a subsidiary of Hanwha Group, raising the total contract value to 1.18 trillion won. Its sister company, Hanwha Systems, also finalized a deal valued at 124.8 billion won for the remaining supply of AESA radars.
India.com
7 days ago
- Business
- India.com
After China and US, another country announces sixth-generation fighter jet plans including KF-21 Boramae and FA-50, share a close relation with India, the country is…
Bad news for India, China, Russia as US decides to...., Will Modi-Putin-Xi Jinping join hands against Trump? After China and the United States, now South Korea has also announced plans to join the race to build sixth-generation fighter jets. According to a top aerospace official, South Korea is getting ready to develop its own advanced warplane. At the Paris Air Show, Shin Dong-hak, who is Vice President of International Business at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), said that the technology they are working on like the 4.5-generation fighter jets and drones will eventually help them move toward building a sixth-generation fighter. China's Progress China has already started testing its sixth-generation jet, which is being called the J-36. Recently, videos on social media showed the prototype in action. Reports say the J-36 is around 22 meters long with a wingspan of about 20 meters. It is powered by three WS-10C engines. America's Fighter Jet Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US is moving ahead with its own sixth-generation jet program by giving Boeing the contract to build it. This new jet is named the F-47. Trump called it 'the deadliest aircraft ever' and said that a test version had already been secretly flying for several years. The F-47 will be built at Boeing's manufacturing plant. South Korea's KF-21 Boramae and FA-50 At the Paris Air Show held last week, South Korea's Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) showcased its latest fighter jets. This included the KF-21 Boramae, a 4.5-generation jet developed entirely in South Korea, and the FA-50, a lightweight combat aircraft. Along with these jets, KAI also presented several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Experts believe that these fighter jets will soon be able to fly in coordination with drones. The KF-21 is expected to officially join the South Korean Air Force by the end of next year. South Korea to test multi-role combat UAV Speaking at the air show, KAI Vice President Shin Dong-hak explained, 'We are showcasing products that lay the groundwork for sixth-generation fighter capabilities.' He highlighted that UAVs are a big part of this future, and development is being steered in that direction. Shin also mentioned that the KF-21 has an edge over others in its class due to its stealth features and advanced AI co-pilot software. It can control multi-role combat UAVs during missions. KAI is planning to carry out flight tests for its new multi-role combat UAV during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition later this year. India and South Korea: Trusted Partners India and South Korea share a strong and friendly relationship. The two countries have been working closely in various fields, including defense. Their official diplomatic ties began in 1962 and were upgraded to ambassador-level in 1973. Over the years, the partnership between India and South Korea has grown in many areas i.e. economic, cultural, political, and military. In 2010, both countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost trade and investment. Later in 2015, they took the relationship a step further by declaring it a 'Special Strategic Partnership.' In the defense sector, India has also bought the K9 Vajra howitzers from South Korea.
Korea Herald
13-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Korea, Indonesia finalize deal to cut Jakarta's KF-21 contribution
South Korea and Indonesia have finalized an agreement to set Jarkarta's contribution to the joint development of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet at 600 billion won ($437 million), the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Friday. The agreement, signed during the Indo Defence exhibition in Jakarta earlier this week, follows more than a year of negotiations and delays surrounding payment terms and a diplomatic row over a technology leak. Indonesia has so far paid around 400 billion won. The remaining 200 billion won is to be paid under a revised schedule that is still under discussion with KAI, the DAPA explained. Indonesia initially joined the KF-21 program in 2016, agreeing to contribute around 1.7 trillion won — equivalent to 20 percent of the total development cost, according to DAPA — in exchange for technology transfer and co-development rights. The figure was later adjusted to 1.6 trillion won, with payments originally due by June 2026. In May 2023, Jakarta requested to reduce its contribution to 600 billion won and to accept a proportional reduction in technology transfer. It also asked to extend the payment deadline to 2034. Seoul also approved the poroposal later that year. However, the agreement was delayed after several Indonesian engineers at Korea Aerospace Industries were caught in January 2023 attempting to take classified KF-21 data stored on USB devices offsite, prompting Indonesia to protest the investigation. Tensions eased only after South Korean prosecutors cleared the engineers of charges and suspended prosecution on June 2. According to DAPA, the scope of technology transfer has yet to be finalized and will be determined after the KF-21's development phase concludes. Indonesia has also expressed interest in receiving a prototype aircraft, which may be negotiated in exchange for a further reduction in technology transfer.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
South Korea, UAE boost defense ties with training, fighter jet cooperation
Seoul: South Korea and the UAE are strengthening military ties through new agreements signed by their air force leadership on Wednesday, including cooperation in the development of the newest Korean supersonic fighter jet. Maj. Gen. Rashed Mohammed A. Al-Shamsi, commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense, arrived in Seoul on a four-day official visit on Monday. On Tuesday, he signed an agreement with South Korean Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-soo to establish regular bilateral meetings between their air forces, and on Wednesday, a letter of intent focused on cooperation related to the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. The KF-21 is a 4.5-generation supersonic aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace Industries and slated for official deployment in 2026. An Emirati pilot participated in its test flight during Al-Shamsi's visit, as the cooperation will also include training UAE personnel to operate the jet. 'The South Korea Air Force regularly participates in the Desert Flag and IAMDOC (Integrated Air Missile Defense Operations Course) exercises held in the UAE. Moving forward, we aim to further expand our cooperation and defense exchanges with the UAE,' Lee said in a statement after the meetings. He also reaffirmed Seoul's commitment to supporting the operations of the Cheongung II, a South Korean medium-range surface-to-air missile system purchased by the UAE in 2022. 'We will provide training programs for Emirati air defense personnel to ensure the successful operation of the missile system,' he said. The initiative to hold regular meetings with the UAE Air Force — Korea's first air force-to-air force regular talks with a Middle Eastern country — stems from Gen. Lee's visit to Abu Dhabi in March, during which both sides agreed on the need for closer military coordination. Under the new framework, the two countries will hold bilateral meetings every six months. Military cooperation between the UAE and South Korea started in 2006, when they signed a defense agreement. In 2011, at the request of Abu Dhabi, South Korea deployed its Akh Unit to a military base in Al-Ain to provide support in training the UAE special forces — an arrangement that continues to this day. 'It was the UAE that asked for Korea's deployment. It seems the UAE sees South Korea as a reliable partner in Asia when they seek to diversify their defense,' Kim Kang-seok, professor of Middle Eastern and African studies at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, told Arab News. 'The UAE is focused on advancing its military's AI capabilities and achieving defense self-reliance … The UAE has adopted AI initiatives as a key national strategy. That is also foraying into the military. This makes South Korea a very attractive partner because South Korea has a large AI capability, a growing military industry and a global economic standing.' Advancing military ties is also in line with the comprehensive economic partnership pact the two countries signed last year. It is also a part of the UAE's efforts to reduce reliance on the US for defense, as well as Seoul's geopolitical considerations, according to Ahn So-yeon from the West Asia Center at Seoul National University. 'They are considering South Korea to be a very good partner in Asia. Since South Korea is an ally of the US, the UAE feels less pressured by the US when cooperating with South Korea, compared to other Asian countries,' Ahn said. 'The UAE is a key oil producer in the Middle East. The UAE is a key energy supplier for South Korea and is strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz. Stationing troops there helps South Korea safeguard ships on key maritime trade routes.'
CBC
15-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
South Korea, with its 'cheaper' version of the F-35, watches as Canada reviews U.S. fighter deal
Social Sharing The reception hall at Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd. is, in many respects, every plane and helicopter lover's dream. Filled with model aircraft, there's one in particular that stands out. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for confusing it for the now politically infamous — at least in Canadian terms — F-35 fighter. The KF-21 Boramae (Hawk) has the same angled twin tails and similar sleek lines. When pointed out, a senior KAI manager sheepishly acknowledged the "stealthy design" resemblance. If all of the heated campaign rhetoric and trade war posturing is to be believed, Canada may be in the market for something other than the U.S.-manufactured F-35. We'll see. The Liberals have openly threatened to accept the first 16 aircraft on order and then look elsewhere to fill out the flight lines of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which for decades has coveted the Lockheed Martin-built jets. One of the reasons the air force has been in favour of the F-35 is because of its advanced capabilities, especially its sensors and connectivity. One of the reasons the politicians have balked is the enormous $19-billion price tag and the huge cost of ownership where the bulk of the in-service support would have to be done in the United States. South Korea, like Canada, wants advanced capability. But the country set out more than 15 years ago to design and build its own next-generation fighter, which coincidentally — or perhaps not — ended up looking like the F-35. There are important differences, namely the KF-21 has two engines, not one. And the Koreans have had trouble integrating one of the key stealth characteristics of carrying weapons — bombs and missiles — on the inside of the aircraft, as opposed to underneath or on the wings. Jason Ahn, KAI's senior manager for North America, said the design kinks have been worked out and the company now has six prototype planes. Most significantly, it has begun full production of the jets for the Korean Air Force and its junior development partner nation Indonesia. Since the Liberal government has signalled Canada may be ready to pivot away from the F-35, there's been considerable debate in the online aviation community about whether the KF-21 is a credible alternative. Opinions are mixed and the jury is still out as far as defence specialists are concerned. The KF-21 was developed as part of a $6.6 billion US project to replace South Korea's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 fighters, and it has been touted as a "cheaper" alternative. "KF-21 will be substantially cheaper than the fourth-generation, front-line fighters," Ahn said in a recent interview at the company's manufacturing plant in Sacheon, South Korea. "This aircraft has better maintainability designed in from the get-go, compared to other fifth-generation fighters [such as the F-35] … we believe we have more — or better — flexibility in terms of maintaining the aircraft." CBC News was given access to the aerospace plant in the southern part of the country and saw KF-21s in production and the prototypes. But South Korean security officials refused permission to independently shoot photographs or video of the advanced warplanes, insisting only company images could be used. Ahn said a number of countries had approached South Korea about buying the aircraft, but he wouldn't disclose who they might be. KAI did not take part in Canada's fighter jet competition, which ended up with the selection of the F-35 in 2022. Instead, it recently expressed interest in supplying Canada's requirement for training aircraft by offering its other homegrown design, the T-50 Golden Eagle. The company was eager to talk about that pitch and showcase the light aircraft, which had its debut in 2002. Hahn said one of the attractive features of that jet is that it could be re-rolled to become a light combat aircraft should Canada need to quickly expand the capability of its air force in an emergency. "The key word is versatile and the FA-50 is capable of not only the trainer side of the aircraft, but also the mission side of the aircraft. It is capable of conducting air-to-air missions with medium-range missiles and AESA radar, and also capable of air-to-ground attack missions with sniper targeting pods and Maverick missiles and all that." The company never received a reply to its proposal late last year and therefore it's unclear how it was received by the Defence Department, which has been consumed with the plan to introduce the F-35 and all of the associated infrastructure overhauls that go with it. Question of commitment to 'Made in Canada' Would either the KF-21 or the T/FA-50 be suitable alternatives if Canada's relationship with Washington deteriorates further? Within South Korea's defence establishment, there's deep skepticism about how serious either a re-elected Liberal government or a new Conservative government would be to diversify military purchases and trade. The apprehension may be justified. Talks between Canada and the U.S. on a renewed trade deal are expected to get underway in the first week of May. On Monday, as Liberal Leader Mark Carney underlined a recycled plan to create a Canadian defence procurement agency, he was asked whether his "Made in Canada" defence plan would be sacrificed for the broader objective of bringing an end to the trade war with the United States and securing access to the markets south of the border. He didn't answer the question directly. "When you go into negotiation, you have to know where you stand. You have to know what you want. You have to be strong. You have to be clear. That's why we're setting out these policies. They're in the interests of Canada," Carney said.
