{"id":131162,"date":"2026-03-31T02:02:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T00:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-exotic-kai-kf-21\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T23:47:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T21:47:33","slug":"eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-exotic-kai-kf-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-exotic-kai-kf-21\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurofighter successor wanted &#8211; the exotic: KAI KF-21"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Austrian Armed Forces <a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/why-the-austrian-armed-forces-want-to-procure-36-eurofighter-successors-and-what-it-will-cost\/\"><strong>is looking for a successor for its Tranche 1 Eurofighter<\/strong><\/a>. According to Milit\u00e4r Aktuell research <a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-seven-candidates-in-the-running\/\"><strong>a total of seven candidates of the fourth and fifth generation<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; including the KF-21 from <a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/defence-company-portal\/ceotronics-18\/\"><strong>Korea Aerospace Industries<\/strong><\/a> (KAI), including an exotic aircraft from South Korea. <\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The new South Korean fighter jet KF-21 Boramae (Korean for &#8220;young falcon&#8221;) is internationally regarded as a representative of Generation 4++, but its external shape already shows clear characteristics of the 5th generation. The twin-engine multi-role jet is clearly designed for reduced recognizability and is positioned &#8211; with certain compromises &#8211; as a more cost-effective alternative to Western high-end stealth types from the USA or China. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/newsletter\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-119250 size-full\" title=\"\u00a9Military News\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703.jpg\" alt=\"\u00a9Military News\" width=\"1447\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703.jpg 1447w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703-300x49.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703-1024x167.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703-768x125.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703-712x116.jpg 712w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703-696x114.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/10152300\/Feldpost_245x40mm-web_vs4_ml_20240703-1068x174.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1447px) 100vw, 1447px\" \/><\/a>The program was launched by KAI in 2001 as the KF-X project, with Indonesia joining as a partner in 2015 &#8211; now with reduced participation. The first flight took place in 2022, series production has been running since August 2025, six aircraft are currently in test operation, most recently the <a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/kai-delivers-first-series-kf-21-boramae-for-south-korea\/\"><strong>the first series aircraft was delivered to South Korea<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/p>\n<h2>The other Eurofighter successor candidates for the Austrian Armed Forces<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-all-rounder-f-35a\/\"><strong>The all-rounder: F-35A from Lockheed Martin<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-logical-choice-eurofighter-neo\/\"><strong>The logical choice: Eurofighter Neo<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-most-efficient-saab-gripen-e-f\/\"><strong>The most efficient: Saab Gripen E\/F<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-outsider-rafale-f5\/\"><strong>The underdog: Rafale F5<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-underdog-tai-kaan\/\"><strong>The underdog: TAI Kaan<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/eurofighter-successor-wanted-the-surprise-candidate-f-16-block-70\/\"><strong>The surprise candidate: F-16 Block 70<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/p>\n<p>In the first expansion stage (Block 1), the jet will receive its air-to-air capability by 2026, followed by certification for air-to-ground armament from 2027. The Block 2 version, a true multi-role variant, is scheduled for delivery from 2028. KAI is working in parallel on an internal weapons bay, as the four BVR guided missiles currently carried semi-recessed still limit the stealth characteristics. Work is also underway on full sensor fusion and AI-supported systems &#8211; with the &#8220;K-AI Pilot&#8221;, an AI-based cockpit assistance system presented at ADEX 2025 in Seoul.   <\/p>\n<p>Around 65% of the KF-21&#8217;s subsystems were developed in-house in South Korea, including an AESA radar with a high target acquisition rate, a modern glass cockpit with touch controls and an advanced human-machine interface. A unique selling point among Western stealth jets is the optional two-seater version, which offers flexible deployment and training options. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-130219 size-full\" title=\"The exotic: KAI KF-21\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02.jpg\" alt=\"The exotic: KAI KF-21\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-1024x618.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-768x464.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-712x430.jpg 712w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-1536x928.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-2048x1237.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-695x420.jpg 695w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-696x420.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-1068x645.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/cdn.militaeraktuell-cdn.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/26093923\/KF-21-two-seater_Grafik-NEU_02-1920x1160.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>KF-21 Boromae<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Manufacturer<\/strong> Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)<br \/>\n<strong>Engine<\/strong> 2 indigenous engines planned<br \/>\n<strong>Performance<\/strong> not yet known<br \/>\n<strong>Top speed<\/strong> expected to be Mach 1.8<br \/>\n<strong>Armament<\/strong> Air-to-air, air-to-ground, internal\/external hardpoints, on-board cannon<br \/>\n<strong>Wingspan<\/strong> 11.20 meters<br \/>\n<strong>Length<\/strong> 16.90 meters<\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, the armament is based on purely European systems: the Meteor BVR missile and the Iris-T for close range. In the long term, a network with unmanned companion drones (UCAVs) is planned. <\/p>\n<p>With 120 aircraft planned by 2032, the KF-21 is primarily intended to support the <a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/kategorie\/armed-forces-international\/south-korea\/\"><strong>South Korean Air Force<\/strong><\/a> (RoKAF); at the same time, the programme is aimed at international export markets.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"bpBAUR5UQs\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/europes-fighter-jet-fleets-an-overview\/\">Europas Kampfjet-Flotten \u2013 eine \u00dcbersicht<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Europas Kampfjet-Flotten \u2013 eine \u00dcbersicht&#8221; &#8212; Milit\u00e4r Aktuell - Sicherheit im Fokus\" src=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/europes-fighter-jet-fleets-an-overview\/embed\/#?secret=ehQayq52kE#?secret=bpBAUR5UQs\" data-secret=\"bpBAUR5UQs\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/korea-kai-kf-21-arouses-international-interest\/\"><strong>interest is growing<\/strong><\/a>In April, the commander of the Air Force Warfare Center of the United Arab Emirates completed a flight in the two-seater, followed by the UAE&#8217;s Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General Al Alawi, in August. In June, the Polish Air Force Chief General Ireneusz Nowak also took a seat in the cockpit. Even India is considering the &#8220;Jungfalken&#8221; as an option as part of its MRFA program.  <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em><i><a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/defence-company-portal\/ceotronics-18\/\"><strong>Here<\/strong><\/a> for more news about Korea Aerospace Industries and <a href=\"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/category\/bundesheer-inside\/\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a> to further army news.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Austrian Armed Forces is looking for a successor for its Tranche 1 Eurofighter. According to Milit\u00e4r Aktuell research a total of seven candidates of the fourth and fifth generation &#8211; including the KF-21 from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), including an exotic aircraft from South Korea.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":131163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[198,199,210,245,334],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-131162","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-defence-industry","8":"category-international-en","9":"category-bundesheer-inside","10":"category-air-force","11":"category-kai-en"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131162","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131162"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131216,"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131162\/revisions\/131216"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/militaeraktuell.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}