KAI KF-21 Boramae (KFX Korean Indigenous Fighter program)

FighterJock said:
15 units of the KF-21 already in production? South Korea are certianly moving fast with the Boramea.
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yeah. despite such efforts some KF-5s will have to stay in the air until the early 2030s. ROKAF's decision to build the first six jets as two-seaters seems like a move to shave off as much training time as they can.
 
It has been reported that the government has effectively agreed to transfer one of the six KF-21 prototype aircraft to Indonesia, a partner in the joint development of the Korean-made KF-21 “Boramae” fighter jet.

According to documents submitted by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on the 7th to the office of People Power Party lawmaker Kang Dae-sik of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, South Korea and Indonesia reached a working-level agreement last February on the value transfer plan for the KF-21 joint development project.

The value transfer is estimated at 600 billion won, which is the amount Indonesia contributed to the KF-21 development process, and consists of one prototype, technology transfer, and the provision of development data.

The value transfer includes 350 billion won for the fifth KF-21 prototype, 174.2 billion won for “participation fees (salaries for Indonesian research personnel) and technology transfer,” and 75.8 billion won for development data.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration plans to determine the timing for the transfer of prototypes and development data after Indonesia has fully completed the payment of its contribution.

n.news.naver.com

韓, KF-21 보라매 공동개발국 인니에 시제기 1대 주기로

6천억 규모 가치이전 방안 실무 합의…단좌식 '5호기' 3천500억원 책정 정부가 한국형 전투기 KF-21 '보라매'의 공동 개발국인 인도네시아에 KF-21 시제기 6대 중 1대를 양도하기로 사실상 합의한 것으로 전
n.news.naver.com n.news.naver.com
 
There has been speculation that PTDI needed the prototype to make adjustment toward their own version the IFX (IF-21). Rumours say that DI want to integrate same armament make up in IFX and Rafale. Meteor already is fit for both Rafale and KF-21 , thus meaning potentially other MBDA armament.

Seems also that KAI is planning to integrate Storm Shadow/Scalp/Taurus because of Indonesia’s request.
 
ComradeVortex said:
There has been speculation that PTDI needed the prototype to make adjustment toward their own version the IFX (IF-21). Rumours say that DI want to integrate same armament make up in IFX and Rafale. Meteor already is fit for both Rafale and KF-21 , thus meaning potentially other MBDA armament.

Seems also that KAI is planning to integrate Storm Shadow/Scalp/Taurus because of Indonesia’s request.
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I can see that, this ALCM from their video presentation doesn't look like their domestically made cruise missile at all
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https://twitter.com/x/status/2036722583824175315
View: https://x.com/i/status/2036722583824175315
 
Isn't this the attack focused version? A second seat should allow them to carry out an accelerated certification of ordnance. I am intrrested in how they shape ergonomics into the cockpit. Will it be more like the future European program pushing a dumbed down AI heuristics and multisensory haptics strategy, or stick to a more comtemporary visual layout that relies on training and pilot skills?
 
Don't think so MadRat, just a trainer for now. Though I would not put it past KAI to build a strike variant of the Boramae in the future.
 
FighterJock said:
Don't think so MadRat, just a trainer for now. Though I would not put it past KAI to build a strike variant of the Boramae in the future.
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The two seat will not doubt be fully combat capable but this is a Blk 1 aircraft which will be essentially A2A only. Blk 2 aircraft with A2G capabilities are not arriving until the first 40 Blk 1s are built so going on the production ramp up that is probably 2028 or maybe early 2029.
 
I find that a strange choice since bleeding edge fighter technology tends to begin with attack versions then become fighters. Programs like the F-15 or ATF are extremely rare to create an air superiority fighter first using bleeding edge technology.
 
MadRat said:
I find that a strange choice since bleeding edge fighter technology tends to begin with attack versions then become fighters. Programs like the F-15 or ATF are extremely rare to create an air superiority fighter first using bleeding edge technology.
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Out of the 4th gen fighters, I think it's been much more common to start with fighter capability and then add attack capability. The F-14, F-15, and F-16 all started out essentially as pure A2A aircraft. Only the F/A-18 started out with serious attack capability, because it was replacing A-7s. The MiG-29 and Su-27 basically started out as pure air superiority fighters. The Eurofighter and Rafale were intended to be multirole from the start, but their histories both demonstrate why the KF-21 is starting with A2A. The simple fact is that A2A is a simpler problem to solve than A2G. To be an effective fighter (especially against the North Korean Air Force), you need two sensors, a radar and an IRST, and two missiles, like an IRIS-T and a Meteor. All the different types of A2G missions can require dozens of different combinations of sensors and weapons, and all of those need to be integrated on the aircraft and with each other, and that process takes a lot of time.
 
FighterJock said:
Thanks Ozair, so no strike capable Boramae's until at some point in the 2030's at least.
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With Blk 2 likely delivered 2028 or early 2029 as long as the DT&E around the A2G capability, such as integrated weapons and systems etc, is completed per the timeline, it might be 2030 before a squadron is IOC with Blk 2 but the jets will start rolling off earlier than that.
 
To attack successfully you want your capability to have an advantage. F-22A was an air supremacy goal, but stealth began with attack planes. When F-14 and F-15 were developed we enjoyed an edge with attack. Beginning KF-21 as a counter air fighter was a nod perhaps to what they already operate.
 
MadRat said:
To attack successfully you want your capability to have an advantage. F-22A was an air supremacy goal, but stealth began with attack planes. When F-14 and F-15 were developed we enjoyed an edge with attack. Beginning KF-21 as a counter air fighter was a nod perhaps to what they already operate.
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The KF-21 intent all along has been to replace the F-4 and F-5 fleets. F-4 is already gone but the F-5s remain. FA-50 has obviously taken on portions of the A2G mission set until KF-21 goes multi-role.
 
Ozair said:
The KF-21 intent all along has been to replace the F-4 and F-5 fleets. F-4 is already gone but the F-5s remain. FA-50 has obviously taken on portions of the A2G mission set until KF-21 goes multi-role.
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Don't forget F-15K Slam Eagle.
 
Right. With the F-35, F-16s, F-15Ks, and to a lesser extent, the FA-50s, there's no urgency for South Korea to rush the KF-21 as a multi-role machine with A2G ordinances integrated with it (although its currently undergoing integration tests).

However with its neighboring countries flying more advanced fighter jets , there is an urgency to keep up with them in the air to air field.
 
MadRat said:
Don't forget F-15K Slam Eagle.
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Sure but the last F-15K was delivered in 2012 while the F-4 wasn't retired until 2024. The only airframes taken new by the South Korean Air Force in that time were the F-35A and the FA-50. F-35A primarily replaced the F-4s while the KF-21 will replace the F-5s and potentially some high hour F-16s.
 

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