The South Korean government signed on Friday (22) authorization for the initial production of its new fighter aircraft, the KF-21 Boramae. The order, however, was cut in half, comprising just 20 of the 40 planes initially planned.
The agreement was signed by the Defense Acquisition Program istration (DAPA), which manages the country's defense projects, and the KF-21 manufacturer, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI). Still in January, DAPA revealed that it planned to start production of the aircraft this year. The model, which has a similar design to the United States' F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning fighters, will replace the F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Tiger II Still serving with the South Korean Air Force (ROKAF).
Although DAPA expedited the contract, to avoid a gap in the ROKAF's capabilities, the south korean media states that the organization cut the 1st batch in half because it still wants to carry out more tests with the KF-21. The cuts are the result of a project feasibility study presented last year that raised concerns about the new fighter's capabilities, a DAPA official said on condition of anonymity.
“(We plan) to complete verification testing by June this year and sign a contract for the remaining 20 units by next February, following consultations with relevant agencies,” said the employee.
The evaluations involve the locally developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the integration of air-to-air missiles, such as the already tested Meteor and IRIS-T. Even so, the Defense Project Promotion Committee approved the entire production plan for a total of 40 KF-21s, estimated at US$5,9 billion, and which will run from this year until 2028.
Although it has faced setbacks – such as the possible leak of secret information and the lack of payments from the Indonesian partnership – the KF-21 program has moved forward. Just last week, Korea carried out the first in-flight refueling with the new aircraft. The plane's six prototypes (including two two-seat models) are already being used in various tests. The plan stipulates that the first planes should enter service in 2026.
Modernization of F-15 fighters
In addition to giving the green light to manufacture the KF-21, on the same day authorities also approved a 3,9 trillion won project to modernize the F-15K Slam Eagle fighter fleet. The upgrade of the 59 planes will be carried out under the US government's Foreign Military Sales program.
According to Flightglobal, the jets will have improvements in attack and target identification capabilities. During the ADEX fair in October 2023, Boeing told the portal that South Korea was still analyzing the configuration and timing of the F-15K modernization plan. It is possible that avionics from the F-15EX Eagle II will be incorporated into the F-15K, such as the APG-82(V)1 AESA radar, the EPAWSS electronic warfare suite, and the AD II mission computer.
