TheSouth Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has launched the final phase of testing and evaluation for the domestically developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar intended for the KF-21 Boramae fighter, with the aim of verifying its multi-mode operational capabilities prior to full entry into service.
The announcement was made on 29 January, following a meeting held at the ADD headquarters in Daejeon, attended by representatives from the Ministry of National Defense (MND), along with agencies and companies involved in the program. The meeting formally marked the start of the project titled “KF-21 additional weapons testing: AESA radar development and system integration”, focused on comprehensive validation of the system.
KF-21 AESA radar characteristics
The KF-21’s AESA radar was designed to provide the 4.5-generation fighter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with advanced capabilities to detect, track, and simultaneously manage multiple targets. It is a three-dimensional active X-band radar (NATO I/J band, 8–12 GHz), with an estimated range of over 100 kilometres.
Unlike conventional mechanically scanned radars, an AESA system operates through the electronic control of numerous transmit/receive modules, without physically moving the antenna. This architecture enables real-time detection and tracking of aerial and surface targets, improving the aircraft’s situational awareness.
Evaluations through 2028
According to the ADD, the large-scale test phase will run through December 2028. During this period, the radar will be evaluated across different operational scenarios to confirm its performance in detecting and tracking aerial, land, and maritime targets.
“Once testing and evaluation are completed, the KF-21 will be able to detect and track all targets in the air, on land and at sea, conducting multi-purpose missions in all weather conditions,” the agency stated. It added that “the project will also verify the simultaneous operation of air-to-air and air-to-ground modes.”
Background to the AESA radar development
Development of the KF-21’s AESA radar dates back to 2016, as part of a strategic South Korean effort to reduce external technological dependence in critical combat systems. In March 2023, Hanwha Systems reported that it had successfully installed and tested an AESA radar on one of the KF-21 prototypes, confirming progress in the program.
The initiative emerged in part as a response to restrictions imposed by the United States on the transfer of sensitive technologies. In that context, South Korean companies pursued international cooperation agreements, such as the one signed in 2021 with Israel’s Elta Systems, which contributed to the design and supported the manufacture of the first radar prototypes.
Serial production and operational outlook
In August 2025, Hanwha Systems held a ceremony to mark the start of production for the AESA radars intended for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s KF-21 fleet, in an event supported by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
According to projections, by 2028 the company expects to produce and install 40 AESA radars, in line with KAI’s aircraft manufacturing tempo. The system is shaping up as one of the core components of South Korea’s first domestically designed combat aircraft, significantly expanding simultaneous detection capabilities across the air, land, and maritime domains, surpassing the performance of the mechanically scanned radars currently in service.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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