South Korea signs $1.4 billion deal to begin production of KF-21 Boramae fighter jets

Asia-Pacific, News June 28, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

South Korean government has signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to produce 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. This comes nine years after the development of the KF-21 began, with the project now reported to be 80% complete.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) awarded a $1.4 billion contract to KAI for the development of the Block 1 batch of 4.5-generation aircraft. KAI announced the deal on June 25, 2024, indicating that the first of these jets will be delivered by the end of 2026, with the final aircraft from this series expected by August, 2027.

“Despite many challenges and difficulties, the KF-21 system development project was able to reach mass production stably, thanks to the solid cooperation of related organizations,” said KAI President Kang Goo-young in a news release.

The locally produced KF-21, initially known as the KF-X, is set to replace South Korea’s aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 fighters, with the last of the F-4s having retired this month. According to the KF-21 Development Program Manager Jinseok Song, the company plans to manufacture 40 KF-21 Block I and 80 Block II aircraft.

However, DAPA has initially ordered only 20 jets, following recommendations from the government-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. Further orders are expected, with the government potentially ordering an additional 20 jets next year, contingent upon further verification of the aircraft’s performance.

Song noted that Block II production, scheduled for development from 2026 to 2028, will include enhancements such as air-to-ground capabilities and an expanded performance envelope. Approximately 2,200 test sorties are planned to be flown by 2026 to ensure the aircraft meets all operational requirements.

South Korea's KF-21 fighter jet — ^{South Korea’s indigenously developed fighter jet KF-21 prepares for a test flight at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, on May 9, 2023. (Image Credit: South Korean Joint Press Corps/via The Korea Times)}

KAI has been diligently preparing for this production contract by establishing a robust supply chain involving 600 domestic companies, building production facilities, and acquiring the necessary tools. The company aims for a localization rate of 65% for the KF-21, underscoring South Korea’s commitment to bolstering its indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.

Additional agreements

In parallel with the KAI contract, South Korea’s DAPA recently signed a deal with Hanwha Systems for the supply of 20 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, valued at $8 million. Furthermore, Hanwha Aerospace announced on June 25 that it secured a $4 million contract to produce 40 General Electric F414-GE-400 engines, along with spares, for the first batch of KF-21s.

Hanwha Aerospace expects the first engine to be ready by the end of 2025. The production will take place at a new facility in Changwon, designed to manufacture up to 300 engines annually. The company, which has manufactured over 10,000 aircraft engines in the past 45 years—82% of which were produced under license—sees this contract as a pivotal step towards developing next-generation engine technologies.

“This contract serves as a stepping stone for Hanwha Aerospace’s plans to develop next-generation engine technologies,” the company stated, adding that it is actively pursuing research and development in sixth-generation engine technology.

Similarly, KAI is looking beyond the KF-21, with plans to further develop sixth-generation manned and unmanned system technologies. This forward-thinking approach underscores South Korea’s strategic vision to enhance its defense capabilities and maintain a competitive edge in aerospace technology.