S. Korea begins production of KF-21 fighter jet

[GoMig-21]

S. Korea begins production of KF-21 fighter jet​

Story by Chae Yun-hwan
• 12h • 1 min read

fighter jet-production

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea began production of the homegrown KF-21 fighter jet Wednesday, the defense procurement agency said, in the latest milestone in the country's efforts to build an advanced fighter aircraft.

A ceremony marking the assembly of the first KF-21 production model took place at Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), the jet's manufacturer, in Sacheon, 296 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

South Korea launched the KF-21 development program in 2015, with the aim of acquiring an advanced supersonic fighter to replace its aging fleet of U.S.-made jets, including the F-5.

Last month, KAI signed a 1.96 trillion-won (US$1.41 billion) deal with DAPA to build 20 KF-21 units through 2027. The country seeks to build even more units and operate a total of 120 KF-21s by 2032.

DAPA said the first production model is scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force in late 2026.

Since the development project began, DAPA has conducted various flight and armament tests on six KF-21 prototypes.

This undated file photo, provided by Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., shows a KF-21 prototype test-firing a missile. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)© Provided by Yonhap News English

That thing looks awesome.

 

[Ali_Baba]

Congrats S. Korea - despite all the funding challenges, - finally made it over the line for the first variant of this jet !

 

[Yommie]

America don't like this. It's bad news for F-35 export.

 

[GoMig-21]

America don't like this. It's bad news for F-35 export.

That's a fair point to make, for sure, but I think the US has about as firm a grip on both aspects of this Korean jet, the US parts in it (ITAR) as well as the monopoly LM has on the F-35 market with all the designated allies already committed as well as those not necessarily in the circle of friends but are potential buyers. The way Lockheed Martin has cornered the market for the F-35 is almost criminal.

It's even wielded its sanctioning power on Russian jets with CAATSA because it has the leverage & power to do so. Which makes me wonder if it would dare create a bill similar to that to target China? If you think about it, China to the US today is the new Russia of the cold war, sooo.......?

 

[harpy1]

KF-21 "Outclasses" India's AMCA Fighter Program; Enters Production In Record Time; First Aircraft By 2026

Two years after its first flight, South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae multi-role fighter aircraft entered initial production in record time — despite hiccups in the program. India’s AMCA Not A 5th-Gen Fighter Jet? Lacks 3 Key Features To Be In The Same League As F-35: OPED The Defense Acquisition...

www.eurasiantimes.com

To be Indian friends
If I was in charge of Indian air force I would be all over this

 

[harpy1]

We already have the military relationship we license build their self propelled artillery we call it varaj

 

[harpy1]

It's 70 million each even with Indian enhancements it will not go north of 90 million

 

[harpy1]

Instead we carry on with Amca for next 15 years ..we not doing this effectively

 

[Indos]

Instead we carry on with Amca for next 15 years ..we not doing this effectively

Indian Air Force is bussy adding more Tejas bro for the sake of Indian Modi Made in India effort

 

[harpy1]

We can't go on at this pace
KF21 should be in MRFA fighter contest

 

[harpy1]

Indian Air Force is bussy adding more Tejas bro for the sake of Indian Modi Made in India effort

Nothing wrong with Tejas I Advocate for lower tier but we need fifth generation fighters now

 

[Indos]

Nothing wrong with Tejas I Advocate for lower tier but we need fifth generation fighters now

It suck your Air Force budget and also so called 7 billion USD Sukhoi upgrade by Indian industry

 

[harpy1]

It suck your Air Force budget and also so called 7 billion USD Sukhoi upgrade by Indian industry

You need To understand the Tejas mark1a with it's new Aesa radars new generation Ew suites new jammers is superior to the 250 legacy fighters mirage 2000/mig29/ jaguar
So Indian built Tejas will replace these

The su30mki is a beast in performance but needs the cockpit upgrade and new version of weapons a bit like the USA F15,ex upgrade so India can keep about half of the 250 odd Mki fighters until 2050

That gives India about 450 fighters IE 150 super mki and 300 Tejas mark1a and 2
We still need the top of the spear medium.weight hi tech fighters we need over 200 by 2045
This needs to be combined Rafale and Amca
Or Rafale and one other or KF21/F35/Tempest/french FCAV

It's all on Hal to deliver Amca or Indian air force goes shopping for fifth generation fighters in five years time we will.know by 2030 I think

 

[Pataliputra]

You need To understand the Tejas mark1a with it's new Aesa radars new generation Ew suites new jammers is superior to the 250 legacy fighters mirage 2000/mig29/ jaguar
So Indian built Tejas will replace these

The su30mki is a beast in performance but needs the cockpit upgrade and new version of weapons a bit like the USA F15,ex upgrade so India can keep about half of the 250 odd Mki fighters until 2050

That gives India about 450 fighters IE 150 super mki and 300 Tejas mark1a and 2
We still need the top of the spear medium.weight hi tech fighters we need over 200 by 2045
This needs to be combined Rafale and Amca
Or Rafale and one other or KF21/F35/Tempest/french FCAV

It's all on Hal to deliver Amca or Indian air force goes shopping for fifth generation fighters in five years time we will.know by 2030 I think

KF-21 is a fourth generation fighter jet it doesn't have internal weapons bay it can be compared to Indian TEDBF

 

[Yasser76]

KF-21 is a fourth generation fighter jet it doesn't have internal weapons bay it can be compared to Indian TEDBF

Your comparing a flying plane in production from one of the most advanced countries in the world with something that is on a drawing board or in model form at HAL? Seriously?