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India.com
25-06-2025
- 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.


South China Morning Post
22-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
South Korea set to join global race to develop sixth-generation fighters
South Korea is set to become the latest country to develop a sixth-generation fighter, according to a senior aerospace executive. Advertisement Shin Dong-hak, vice-president of international business development at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), said in an interview at the Paris Air Show that the technology it was showcasing at the event – including 4.5-generation fighters and unmanned aerial vehicles – would 'ultimately' become 'key elements' of the switch to sixth-generation fighters. The country is joining a global race where footage recently released on social media suggests China may have started testing its sixth-generation prototypes Meanwhile, in the United States, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the US will go ahead with its sixth-generation fighter programme by awarding Boeing the contract to develop the planes. Last week at the event – the world's largest and oldest air show – KAI's display included the KF-21 Boramae, its latest 4.5-generation fighter jet, FA-50 light combat aircraft and next-generation unmanned combat aircraft. Advertisement These aircraft were each accompanied by multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), suggesting it was working on crewed-uncrewed teaming – a key element of new-generation aerial warfare in which drones operate alongside piloted planes to increase their operational range and serve as a defensive shield.


The Star
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
South Korea: From arms seller to Philippines to deeper defence partner possible
MANILA: South Korea could take a step further in its growing defence ties with the Philippines and consider taking part in joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea and negotiating a possible visiting forces agreement, according to a Korean expert, adding his voice to growing calls for deeper security cooperation between the two countries. Both countries are facing hostile neighbours. Chinese vessels have rammed and used water cannons on Philippine ships and flashed military-grade lasers at Philipppine troops on several occasions, while South Korea grapples with nuclear threats from North Korea, a key ally of China. 'If China's coercive actions in the South China Sea escalate and begin to threaten the stability of South Korea's maritime trade routes, and the United States calls on South Korea to participate in joint patrols to help maintain regional stability, then South Korea would likely have no choice but to join neighbouring countries in such joint patrol operations,' Keun Sik Moon, professor at Hanyang University and former Korean navy officer, said. The Philippines has been conducting regular joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, with its closest security partners US, Japan and Australia, and also with other friendly states. Manila and Seoul have upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership last year, including broader defence and security cooperation. South Korea is among the Philippines' top arms suppliers. Moon said he was in favour of a status of visiting forces agreement between Manila and Seoul, which allows increased defence cooperation and allows both countries to hold exercises in each other's territories. 'Korea-Philippines VFA could support joint amphibious training, maritime interdiction and anti-terror drills. It also secures local MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) hubs for South-East Asian exports and enhances Korea's force mobility,' he said. This agreement, Moon said, 'aligns with Korea's global security strategy and enhances joint defence readiness against South China Sea threats, elevating Korea from an arms seller to a strategic security partner.' The Philippines already has similar agreements with the United States, Australia, Japan and New Zealand. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said last month that they will 'start scoping and see what happens' after the elections in South Korea if VFA discussions can start. He was in favour of a possible VFA deal due to existing military cooperation with Seoul. 'We already have interoperability with them, especially in naval operations, and our FA-50 aircraft came from them,' he said. The Philippines last week signed a deal for an additional 12 FA-50 light fighters from Korea Aerospace Industries for P40 billion. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Philippines orders 12 more FA-50 combat jets from South Korea
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines' defense department sealed the order for 12 FA-50 light combat aircraft in a $700 million package with Korea Aerospace Industries, the company said in a statement released Wednesday. The export contract includes 12 FA-50s set to arrive around 2030. The upgraded jets are capable of aerial refueling and will be installed with AESA radars. The deal also includes an undisclosed number of air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons. KAI had previously exported 12 FA-50s to the Air Force in a 2014 export order, which was fulfilled in 2017. One FA-50 aircraft crashed in early March during a counterinsurgency operation in Mindanao in the country's south. The military grounded the FA-50s immediately after the crash but lifted the order after an internal investigation found no mechanical mishap occurred during the operation. Manila has actively purchased frigates, corvettes, aircraft, and weapons from South Korean defense firms to modernize its armed forces. The Philippines was South Korea's second-largest global customer until 2021. KAI expects the orders to open more interest in the aircraft among governments in Europe, the Middle East and South America. The Philippine Air Force currently operates the FA-50 and A-29 Super Tucano turboprop light attack aircraft. The defense department has yet to decide on the country's multirole fighter jet program, which is estimated to be the most expensive acquisition under the final phase of the Horizons military modernization project.


The Star
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Philippines signs deal for 12 fighter jets: South Korea manufacturer
Philippine and South Korean FA-50 fighter jets. - Photo: Korean Aerospace Industries MANILA: The Philippines has signed a contract for 12 more FA-50 fighter jets, its South Korean manufacturer said Wednesday (June 4), three months after one of the planes crashed during a mission against communist rebels. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) valued the deal with the Department of National Defense at US$700 million, with delivery of the jets to be completed by 2030. The Philippines, which has yet to confirm the pact, previously purchased a dozen of the light warplanes in 2014. In a statement, the South Korean firm said the fighter jets would feature enhanced capabilities including "aerial refueling for extended range, (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems". One of the Philippines' original fleet of FA-50s went missing on March 4 while on a mission to provide air support for troops fighting guerrillas in a mountainous area of the southern island of Mindanao. Rescuers found the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of two crewmen a day later. After temporarily grounding the fleet, the Philippine Air Force ruled out any mechanical problems with the aircraft. Air Force spokeswoman Maria Consuelo Castillo told a press conference in April that a confluence of factors had contributed to the crash, including mountainous terrain and visibility issues. Castillo said in March that the purchase of additional FA-50s was under consideration by the defence department. - AFP