South Korea’s defense sector had another record year in 2024 with exports worth almost nine billion euros and sales to Australia, Poland, Romania and Saudi Arabia. A central project of the flourishing aviation industry is the 5th generation stealth fighter jet, KF-21 Boramae (Korean for “hawk”), as Senior Manager and Head of the Upgrade Program Soon-Ryong Jang from manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) emphasizes in an interview with Militär Aktuell.
A special milestone: on April 16, a foreign pilot was the first time a foreign pilot flew in the KF-21 with – Azan Al-Nuaimi, commander of the Air Force Warfare Center of the United Arab Emirates. This symbolic step was accompanied by the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Chief of Staff of the South Korean Air Force (ROKAF), General Lee Young-su, and the Air Force Commander of the United Arab Emirates, Rashed Al Shamsi.
If Soon-Ryong Jang has his way, the KF-21 could also be of interest to the Austrian Armed Forces.
Mr. Jang, is there already a procurement contract with the Korean military for the Boramae?
Yes, the contract was signed last June. It marks the start of production and includes the manufacture of 20 KF-21s as well as the provision of technical manuals and training programs. Boramae will replace the old fleet of F-5E/F and the F-4 Phantom already retired in 2024.
Can the financial volume be quantified?
Yes, we are talking about around 1.4 billion US dollars (1.3 billion euros).
How far has the model matured technically in the meantime, how many aircraft are already flying?
Six are currently flying and the pilots of the first squadron are already in training. In Block 1, we will supply our air force with jets for air-to-air missions until 2026. From 2027, air-to-ground ammunition will also be verified. Block 2 will therefore be designed as a multi-role version, which will be deployed to air bases from 2028.
You are also the upgrade team leader at KAI. Does that mean there is already a parallel revision?
That’s right. The existing design is “semi-stealth”, the main weapons under the hull are visible. We want to change that.
Is there even enough depth in the fuselage for this?
Not yet, but my team and I are working hard on that now (laughs).
An IRST search and target illumination pod can be seen on the model. Is it a kind of “sniper pod” or is it primarily intended for electro-optical reconnaissance? And is the container made in Korea?
Yes, developed entirely in Korea. We place very high demands on our suppliers. The container is a powerful target acquisition system, suitable for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. It offers infrared visualization and a data link to ground stations, via which synthetic radar images can also be transmitted.
Electronic self-defense – is everything installed internally? No external jammers?
That’s right, all electronic warfare systems and the sensors of the self-protection system are integrated into the aircraft structure. The jammers are also internal – there are no external pods.
Does the KF-21 currently use GE414 engines, as used in the Super Hornet or the Tejas Mk.2? Will it stay that way?
Yes, F414 engines from General Electric are currently installed – digitally controlled and monitored, as on the Super Hornet. There are currently no plans to switch to other engines. However, we have asked General Electric for a thrust increase – and they have increased the thrust specifically for our KF-21.
And the jet also has an on-board cannon?
A tried and tested weapon: the M61A2 20-millimeter Gatling gun from General Dynamics.
When will the KF-21 also be an issue for export?
This is already an issue; we are already working with various countries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
What is the actual situation in Indonesia? Originally, the project was a joint development in a ratio of 80 to 20 percent. And the Indonesian flag is still emblazoned on the plane. Have they pulled out in the meantime – or not, because they have stopped making payments?
They have not officially left the program. Theoretically, Indonesia is still part of the program. They have also provided funds for the development of the KF-21 – on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement. However, they are not currently working with us on an ongoing basis. This is mainly a political issue. But we continue to hope for their active participation.
Could Austria also become interesting for KAI? The Austrian Armed Forces will have to decide on the successor to its Eurofighter in the near future and will probably also have to deal with the KF-21 – after all, it will already have been introduced in Korea and Europe will be the focus of KAI anyway, right?
We have heard that. And just this much: We are no longer unknown in Europe. Just think of the FA 50 fight coaches in Poland.
What could KAI Austria offer?
In addition to an already modern and in future probably even more effective combat aircraft, we can also offer an absolutely unique selling point among stealth fighters.
Namely?
A purely European armament with Meteor and Iris-T as well as advantages in logistical support.
In what way?
I am sure that the maintenance of the KF-21 is more forward-looking than that of the Eurofighter Typhoon or the Rafale because it can be almost completely digitalized. We offer artificial intelligence and virtual reality, including in the areas of logistics and spare parts management. There are online monitoring systems and planned maintenance based on databases and AI-supported analyses. This creates a fantastic logistics solution – not only for pilot training, but also for technicians. They can train completely virtually.
That means with VR glasses?
Exactly, with VR headsets. No real aircraft is required. Maintenance technicians can practice on the various subsystems in a virtual environment and thus receive realistic training – without access to a physical jet.
And for the pilots there is a classic dome simulator?
Yes, that too. We have complete mission training systems, including dome simulators and special cockpit procedure trainers.
A special feature of the KF-21 is the two-seater. Other new designs largely do without it – with the exception of the Chinese J-20S. Why is KAI sticking with a two-seater?
We believe that a two-seater makes sense. The Korean Air Force has also requested both a single-seater and a two-seater version from the industry. Firstly, the two-seater is used for operational conversion unit (OCU) training for the operational type. Secondly, it is essential for teaming with unmanned escort drones. KAI is developing the “Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System” (LOWUS) for this purpose, which will soon be rolled out. In the two-seater KF-21, the rear seat will in future be occupied by the so-called “battlefield master”, who will be responsible for controlling and coordinating the unmanned systems.
