South Korea's newest fighter plane could have three new variants, including a stealth version. This is what the South Korean portal revealed Biz.Hankook about the KF-21 Boramae, the first fighter developed and manufactured in the country.
With the production of the new model planned to start later this year, Seoul is already planning new versions of the jet for the next decade. There will be three variants, called KF-21EA, EX and SA.
According to the portal, the first of the new versions under development is EA, where the KF-21 becomes an electronic attack aircraft similar to the United States Navy's EA-18G Growler. This version will be based on the two-seat KF-21B, with the rear seat becoming a workstation for an electronic warfare officer (EWO). Currently in its basic research phase, the KF-21EA will have various equipment, sensors and antennas to perform electronic escort, jamming, signal collection and suppression of enemy air defenses missions.
The KF-21EX may be the most ambitious version, where the Boramae becomes a jet with stealth capabilities like those found in the F-22 Raptor and US F-35 Lightning II. Although it incorporates elements of 5th generation jets in its design, the KF-21 is a 4.5 generation model. It carries its weapons externally, on hangers in the wings and fuselage. With the KF-21EX, Korea intends to install bays for the fighter to carry bombs and missiles internally, reducing its radar signature. Additionally, the KF-21EX is envisioned as an integral part of the Next Air Combat System (NACS), a future network utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite data links.
Finally, the KF-21SA will be a version dedicated to the export market. The SA will have a basic configuration similar to that found on the South Korean Air Force's (ROKAF) KF-21s, but open to modifications and customizations by potential customers. Negotiations with buyers such as Indonesia are ongoing, but the final configurations of export models remain undetermined.
In general, the three variants are still in the very early stages of research and development. According to Kim Min-seok of the Korea Defense Security Forum, “It will take more than 10 years to receive detailed design and development costs and proceed to full-scale development.” This timeline is based on large-scale production of the jet, which is scheduled to begin in 2026.
For the KF-21EX, the challenge is even greater. The conversion to a truly stealth fighter will require advanced studies and extensive modifications to the aircraft's design.
