KAI says the development of the KF-21 is 80% complete, with the aircraft's first test flights scheduled for July 2022 year Coupled with it, Korean gunsmiths are developing an attack UAV that expands the fighter's combat capabilities.

South Korea's KF-21 Borame fighter is approaching serial production: the first batch of 20 aircraft is expected by 2027. The 4.5+ generation fighter, developed by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), can work in tandem with a “faithful sibling” UAV. KAI is exploring the possibility of reducing the size of the UAV to achieve the target cost-effectiveness without compromising capabilities.

Focus translated article by American journalist Peter Suchiu about the project of the South Korean KF-21 aircraft, which will become an alternative to the American stealth fighter F-35.

• The KF-21 project, which is positioned as an economically effective alternative F-35, 80% complete: successful test flights and mid-air refueling. More than 600 South Korean companies participate in the program, including Hanwha Aerospace, which supplies engines.

The “faithful guide” of the South Korean KF-21 fighter

The KF-21 Borame advanced multirole fighter has been in development for more than a decade, but it was only last month that Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced the start of serial production. The 4.5+ generation fighter is due to enter service by the end of next year, with final Block 1 deliveries scheduled for near the end of August 2027.

The numbers continue to shrink

Seoul announced in June that the first batch of KF-21s would consist of 20 aircraft, up from an initial order of 40 KF-21 Block I aircraft and 80 Block II aircraft, with the latter models having enhanced ground attack capabilities. Reducing the number of the first batch of aircraft may help KAI improve the capabilities of the Block 1 models in the air-to-air class.

KAI is also developing an attack UAV – a “faithful companion” that can work in tandem with a piloted fighter. Last week it became known that the drone can also be reduced – what is meant is not the number of cars produced, but their sizes.

“This is due to the fact that KAI engineers are looking for optimal design options, including the use of a powerful turboprop engine,” – a KAI representative told the international military-analytics company Janes earlier this month. Initially, it was assumed that the drone would be about a third smaller than a manned fighter.

Despite the smaller size than previously anticipated, a company spokesperson said that “an updated or revised [UAV] design can be scaled down without reducing capabilities,” and added that “a change in aircraft size can occur at any time during design review, if the modified design is expected to meet the requirements. Since the KAI “faithful sibling” is in the conceptual design stage, there are many possible options for how to meet the needs of the future market.

South Korea is far from alone in developing a guided drone that could work alongside a manned fighter jet. The US Air Force is equally focused on a joint combat aircraft (CCA) that could work alongside the upcoming Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter as a manned aircraft. Britain's Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) may also include an optional manned fighter supported by multiple UAVs.

F-35 Alternative

The KF-21 was developed by KAI as part of a $6.6 billion project to replace the ROK Air Force's aging F-4 and F-5 fighter fleet. It is considered a “cheaper” alternative to the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Work on the program began in the early 2000s with the goal of creating an improved version of the domestic KF-16 fighter.

Indonesia joined the program in 2010 as a junior partner. Jakarta financed 20% of the total development cost in exchange for an undisclosed number of fighters to be produced for the Indonesian Air Force. However, as previously reported, Indonesia may have been late with payments to Seoul, so it is unclear what stage the partnership is at.

KAI says development of the KF-21 is 80% complete, with the aircraft's first test flights taking place in July in 2022. It has also successfully conducted aerial refueling trials, underscoring its long-range operational capabilities.

More than 600 South Korean partner companies have also been involved in the development of the multi-role fighter, as Seoul set a localization target of 65%, which recent media reports say has been reached. Hanwha Aerospace, which produces engines for several aircraft of the Red Army Air Force, has been awarded a multi-year contract to supply F414 engines for the KF-21.

Six prototypes have already been produced and are undergoing numerous operational tests.

The development of the advanced multipurpose fighter KF-21 Borame is being conducted for more than ten years

About the author

Peter Suchiu – journalist from Michigan. During his twenty-year journalistic career, he participated in the work of more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites, publishing more than 3,200 materials. He writes regularly on military technology, firearms history, cyber security, politics and international affairs. Peter has also contributed articles to Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. Email the author at: Editor@nationalinterest.org.