Can Korea’s most advanced fighter KF-21 compete with China, the US and Europe?

Can South Korea's most advanced fighter KF-21 compete with China, US and Europe?

South Korea’s first home-grown combat aircraft, the KF-21, still has a “long way to go” competing globally against products from the US, Europe and China, analysts say, as the fighter jet is finally rolled out. In March, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) officially unveiled the first production unit of the KF-21 Boramae, making South Korea the eighth country to join an elite group capable of indigenously developing advanced supersonic combat airc…

Can Korea’s most advanced fighter KF-21 compete with China, the US and Europe?

Recent roll-out puts South Korea in elite group of countries capable of indigenously developing advanced supersonic combat aircraft.

KF-X/ IF-X (KF-21) program

KF-X illustration (image: KAI) In its 2021 budget, the South Korean Ministry of Defense plans to spend $5.4 billion for the development of indigenous KF-X jet. Seoul has set the target for development of the jet for 2026. It aims to produce 15 F414 flight test engines and six prototype fighters by 2021. Flight testing will occur in 2023. 120 KF-X...