CNN reported yesterday (9th) local time that Korea has joined the global supersonic fighter manufacturing elite group by introducing the first Korean fighter’KF-21 Boramae’, which is evaluated as a 4.5 generation class.
In particular, CNN also said that it has considerable export potential, predicting that the price competitiveness of the KF-21 will be better than that of the F-35, the flagship model of overseas sales in the United States.
CNN said on the day that “Korea launched a self-developed supersonic fighter jet to join the military aviation giant’s exclusive club, laying the groundwork for a $5.2 billion program that hopes to create the best export engines and jobs.”
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration held the release ceremony of the first KF-21 prototype yesterday.
Although it is the 13th in the world to independently develop a fighter, it is the 8th in terms of advanced supersonic fighter jets of the fourth generation or higher with excellent avionics and radar capabilities like the F-15.
Korea plans to deploy 40 units from 2026 to 2028, and 120 units in total by 2032.
The countries that have developed their own supersonic fighter so far are the United States, Russia, China, Japan, France, Sweden and the European consortium of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain.
According to the NATO Allied Air Force Center, only the United States and China have deployed their fifth-generation fighters.
CNN said that the KF-21 is expected to be equipped with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and even air-launched cruise missiles. “Only 65% of the KF-21 is made in Korea, but it is an important achievement for Korea, which does not have a long history in aircraft production.” .
In addition, the KF-21 will replace the 3rd generation US-made fighters F-4 and F-5, and if production increases, it can replace Korea’s fourth generation fighters F-16 and F-15K. Abraham Eight, editor-in-chief of Military Watch Magazine I also introduced an article that I contributed to the diplomatic journal Diplomat last year.
CNN said, “The KF-21 has significant export potential as it is expected to be much lower in price than the F-35 sold abroad by the United States.”
In a last year’s article, editor-in-chief Eight said Thailand, the Philippines and Iraq are operating the same type of fighter jets that will be replaced by the KF-21 in South Korea, and these countries could be the main customers.
These countries are also importers of the FA-50 light attack aircraft independently developed by Korea.
CNN predicted that “if Korea succeeds in KF-21 export marketing, that trend will continue”.
According to statistics from the Stockholm Institute for International Peace, Korea’s arms exports from 2016 to last year increased 210% from the previous five years, accounting for 2.7% of the world market share.
(Photo = Yonhap News)