Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s leading aerospace and defence company, announced on 25 June 2024 that it has signed a contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to supply the first mass production engines for the indigenously developed KF-21 fighter.

The contract is valued at around USD 401 million (EUR 372 million) and runs from June 2024 to December 2027, during which Hanwha Aerospace will deliver over 40 F414 engines and spare modules for the KF-21, as well as provide engine maintenance manuals and on-site technical support. The F414s are produced under licence from US powerplant producer GE Aerospace.

The supplied engines will be installed in the first batch of KF-21s, with Hanwha Aerospace committed to supplying engines for the fighter until the end of the KF-21 production run as the country’s sole aircraft engine manufacturer.

Hanwha Aerospace has licence-produced more than 10,000 engines over the past 45 years, having supplied engines for South Korean military aircraft that include the F-4, KF-5, KF-16, F-15K and T-50.

The KF-21 contract serves as a stepping stone for Hanwha Aerospace’s plans to develop next-generation engine technologies. The company is actively pursuing research and development in sixth-generation engine technology, hoping to position itself at the forefront of global aerospace innovation.

“As Korea’s only specialised aircraft engine company, we are committed to supplying high-quality engines without delay,” said a Hanwha Aerospace spokesperson quoted in a company press release. “We will dedicate all our resources to developing independent aviation engine technology for national defence and securing future growth opportunities for Korea.”