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.

https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0016006027
 
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
1000611308.jpg

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.
 
Thanks Ozair, so no strike capable Boramae's until at some point in the 2030's at least.
 
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.
 
KAI and Hanwha Systems have signed a mass production contract for the EOTGP for the KF-21. The contract is worth approximately 62.5 million US dollars and is scheduled for delivery by November 30, 2028. Additionally, the photo was taken in 2024 during observation and laser performance testing prior to the rollout of the first flight prototype.
 

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I just got reminded of Helmutkohl's post so here's one good source.

helmutkohl said:
I think thats probably why Mason gets cited a lot, he built a niche of using social media to post Korean defense stuff in English. But at the end of the day, he's just an enthusiast like many here.

I sometimes use Bemil, but you'll need some kind of translator. Fortunately AI has gotten a lot better for it.
https://bemil.chosun.com/
@Maro.Kyo might have more suggestions
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As for the information regarding this specific topic, this will be a good read :

https://www.patreon.com/posts/next-generation-156085099
The author of this Patreon has set this article outside the paywall, and it's well worth a read.

I also created a thread where we can gather some good sources
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...-and-developments-in-certain-countries.51541/
 
The following contains some interesting information I found from a third party who had the opportunity to read Korean documents and speak to ROKAF personnel.

It is interesting that the jet was originally meant to be more akin to the KF-16U (Block 70) and not the top-of-the-line fighter itself.

Within the reports, there were some comments about the government willing to increase the FA-50 production in order to replace the KF-5E/F jets.

Also, there were some other comments about the partnership with Indonesia was not optimal, as there is little to gain for them in terms of technology exchange.

However, it was perhaps a strategic choice.

1) Most TACs would have likely wanted to have the jet (KF-X) to have a certain guaranteed production numbers for them to commit to the technical collab/assistance.

2) Indonesia, having signed the deal with T-50i before we committed to the KF-21, probably was a good working partner back then.

3) It is known that LM’s assistance with Korean-domestic development with AESA radar would not have been possible, had the LM side not able to verify the known future of production numbers.


About its flight performance

A) The maneuverability is rather sublime, according to those who flew it in sim and/or real life.

B) The acceleration is quicker than that of an F-16C.

C) The jet has a quirk in its FBW calibration between M0.90-M1.05, where the PIPO (Pilot-Induced Pitch Oscillation) gets gradually worse. Probably something to do with the fact that the jet seems extremely pitch-unstable.
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ComradeVortex said:
Prototype transfer package is costing 600 billion won

(Not paid yet)


https://twitter.com/x/status/2064700439938129932
View: https://x.com/i/status/2064700439938129932
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YONHAP NEWS AGENCY

Korean Fighter KF-21 Prototype Delivery to Co-developer Indonesia Imminent

(Seoul = Yonhap News) One prototype of the Korean supersonic fighter KF-21 Boramae is expected to be delivered soon to Indonesia, the co-developer.

Indonesia's Antara News Agency reported on the 10th (local time) that Chechep Herawan, the Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea, stated at the 'Indonesian Next Generation Journalists Network' event held in Seoul, "We have agreed to deliver one of the six KF-21 prototypes to Indonesia, and we hope the delivery will take place soon."

Ambassador Herawan explained that Indonesia has settled the issue of financial contributions regarding the KF-21 joint development project and will discuss the utilization of the production results and subsequent procedures with the Korean side. The KF-21, which has been mentioned as a potential delivery to Indonesia, is a single-seat prototype designed for one pilot.

Antara News Agency reported that the scale of the previous package is estimated at approximately 600 billion won, representing the contribution Indonesia made during the KF-21 development process. Of this amount, the cost of the fighter jet itself is about 350 billion won, with the remainder covering development-related expenses.

The KF-21 is a 4.5-generation twin-engine supersonic fighter jet independently developed by South Korea to respond to future battlefield environments.

It has a fuselage length of 16.9m, a wingspan of 11.2m, and a height of 4.7m. Its maximum speed is Mach 1.8 (2,200 km/h), maximum range is 2,900 km, operational radius is 1,000 km, and maximum payload is 7.7 tons. It features stealth technology, and a significant portion of its electronic equipment, including the AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar capable of tracking multiple enemy aircraft simultaneously, has been localized.

The contract price for the Block 1, the initial mass-produced model, is approximately 120 billion KRW per unit.

Watch the video.
View: https://youtu.be/qGSEYtDonh4?si=QBlVPmHY1ET3CDrL


So between the twitter guy or Indonesian Ambassador of S. Korea, which one is right?
We'll see
 

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