The KF-21, South Korea's domestically developed fighter jet, made its inaugural public appearance at ADEX 2023, an annual international defense exhibition held at Seoul Air Base in early October. Produced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the KF-21 captivated the audience with a thrilling aerial display, highlighting its exceptional agility during an impressive five-minute airshow. Following the aerial demonstration, the KF-21 was showcased to both domestic and international spectators.
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The KF-21, South Korea's domestically developed fighter jet, made its inaugural public appearance at ADEX 2023, an annual international defense exhibition held at Seoul Air Base in early October (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The KAI KF-21, also known as the Boramae (meaning "young hawk" in Korean), is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft developed by the South Korean aerospace company, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). This advanced fighter jet represents a significant milestone in South Korea's efforts to enhance its indigenous aerospace capabilities and reduce its dependence on foreign military equipment.
The KF-21 is designed to fulfill various roles, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. It incorporates several advanced technologies to meet modern combat requirements. One of its key features is its stealthy design, which reduces its radar cross-section, making it less visible to enemy radar systems. This stealth capability is achieved through the use of radar-absorbent materials, a carefully designed shape, and internal weapons carriage.
Powered by two after-burning turbofan engines, the KF-21 possesses impressive speed and maneuverability, allowing it to excel in air-to-air combat scenarios. Its avionics suite includes advanced radar and sensor systems, as well as a sophisticated electronic warfare suite to detect and counter enemy threats.
In terms of armament, the KF-21 can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. It features internal weapon bays to maintain its stealthy profile while carrying a payload. Additionally, it can carry external stores on underwing hardpoints when stealth is not a primary concern.
The KF-21 program represents a significant collaborative effort between South Korea and Indonesia, with Indonesia contributing to the development and production of the aircraft. This partnership is intended to strengthen regional defense capabilities and promote international cooperation in the aerospace industry.
The KAI KF-21 is still in the development and testing phase, with plans for production and eventual deployment by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).
