South Korea has an ambitious programme to develop a sixth-generation fighter based on the KF-21 platform, and one of the key areas of this process is to abandon dependence on US technology, including engines. Hanwha Aerospace, which currently produces the F414-GE-400K turbofan engines under licence from General Electric, has presented a concept of a promising new generation combat aircraft. The demonstration video shows that the new aircraft has a delta wing, integrated fuselage, no vertical stabilisers and other features typical of sixth-generation stealth fighters. It is likely to have optional piloting capability, internal weapons bays, variable thrust vector, reduced infrared signatures and supercruising speed.
Despite its futuristic appearance, the new design is not a completely new development. It is based on the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, which is being developed by South Korea in cooperation with Indonesia. Today, the KF-21 is considered a 4.5 generation aircraft, but with the potential for gradual improvement. By 2032, it is planned to build 120 of these aircraft in two versions: the KF-21 Block I interceptor and the KF-21 Block II multi-role aircraft. The first 20 aircraft have already been in production since the summer of 2024. In addition, South Korea is actively seeking export opportunities, with Poland expressing interest in joining the programme instead of Indonesia, which has difficulty financing its share of the cost.
However, the main problem for South Korea remains the F414 engines, which are manufactured under US licence. This means that any foreign sales of the aircraft or even internal improvements could be blocked by the United States. For this reason, Korea is increasingly considering the possibility of creating its own national aircraft engine, independent of the US. Such a move would allow for full export freedom, as Sweden is trying to do with its Gripen, for example, although it still uses US components.
In addition to the engine issue, Korea already has significant developments in the field of advanced military technologies, including the creation of KUS-X drones, the development of manned and unmanned aircraft interaction concepts (MUM-T), artificial intelligence systems for combat analysis, laser weapons, and internal weapons compartments. This indicates that the country has critical technologies for the development of its own sixth-generation fighter.
In 2024, South Korea held talks with Saudi Arabia to create a joint aircraft based on the KF-21. The plan is to gradually upgrade the KF-21 to the Block III version, which will be close to the fifth generation, and then to create sixth-generation systems based on the MUM-T platform. Despite the desire to join the GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme), which brings together the UK, Japan and Italy, South Korea was not allowed to join, so cooperation with Saudi Arabia is seen as a strategically important alternative.
I apologise for using a translator as I don't speak the language, but if you have more information about this, I would be happy to read it.
Despite its futuristic appearance, the new design is not a completely new development. It is based on the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, which is being developed by South Korea in cooperation with Indonesia. Today, the KF-21 is considered a 4.5 generation aircraft, but with the potential for gradual improvement. By 2032, it is planned to build 120 of these aircraft in two versions: the KF-21 Block I interceptor and the KF-21 Block II multi-role aircraft. The first 20 aircraft have already been in production since the summer of 2024. In addition, South Korea is actively seeking export opportunities, with Poland expressing interest in joining the programme instead of Indonesia, which has difficulty financing its share of the cost.
However, the main problem for South Korea remains the F414 engines, which are manufactured under US licence. This means that any foreign sales of the aircraft or even internal improvements could be blocked by the United States. For this reason, Korea is increasingly considering the possibility of creating its own national aircraft engine, independent of the US. Such a move would allow for full export freedom, as Sweden is trying to do with its Gripen, for example, although it still uses US components.
In addition to the engine issue, Korea already has significant developments in the field of advanced military technologies, including the creation of KUS-X drones, the development of manned and unmanned aircraft interaction concepts (MUM-T), artificial intelligence systems for combat analysis, laser weapons, and internal weapons compartments. This indicates that the country has critical technologies for the development of its own sixth-generation fighter.
In 2024, South Korea held talks with Saudi Arabia to create a joint aircraft based on the KF-21. The plan is to gradually upgrade the KF-21 to the Block III version, which will be close to the fifth generation, and then to create sixth-generation systems based on the MUM-T platform. Despite the desire to join the GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme), which brings together the UK, Japan and Italy, South Korea was not allowed to join, so cooperation with Saudi Arabia is seen as a strategically important alternative.
I apologise for using a translator as I don't speak the language, but if you have more information about this, I would be happy to read it.
