Last Friday, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that it has secured a new contract to move forward with the production of a second batch of 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets for the South Korean Air Force. These aircraft will add to the 20 units already ordered by Seoul last year. According to local media, the deal is worth $1.76 billion and was signed between KAI and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
This news comes just as South Korea finalized another defense contract—this time with Hanwha Aerospace, another key player in its military-industrial complex. That deal, also awarded by DAPA, is worth $459.3 million and is aimed at ensuring a steady supply of engines for the country’s newly acquired KF-21s.
Looking at the specifics, the contracts awarded to Hanwha cover the delivery of up to 80 F414 engines by December 2028, enough to power the 40 twin-engine jets KAI is set to build. In addition to the engines, Hanwha will also provide logistics support, spare parts, and technical assistance—just as KAI will when delivering the KF-21s.
It’s worth recalling that the KF-21 Boramae is classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, developed entirely in South Korea—marking the country’s first attempt at a program of this scale. The aircraft is expected to start entering service in the second half of next year, replacing the retired F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Tiger II jets, and boosting an air fleet that currently relies heavily on KF-16s and F-15Ks.
As for its known technical characteristics, the KF-21 features a stealthy design. While it isn’t classified as a fifth-generation jet, it’s capable of operating with a reduced radar signature. Its F414 engines are reported to give it a top speed of up to Mach 1.81, while its integrated AESA radar offers advanced threat detection and tracking capabilities—supplied by Hanwha Systems, which has also just secured related contracts.
In terms of payload, the KF-21 is expected to carry up to 17,000 pounds of ordnance. Internal weapons bays are planned for a future variant to preserve its stealth characteristics. The aircraft is designed to use long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles and short-range IRIS-T missiles, and it also comes equipped with a cannon mounted on the left side of the nose.
*Images for illustrative purposes only
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