KAI KF-21 Boramae

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A CGI image of a KF-21 in flight.

The KAI KF-21 Boramae (formerly known as the KF-X) is a joint Korean/Indonesian 4.5 generation multirole fighter aircraft development program with the goal of producing an advanced multirole fighter for the Korean and Indonesian air forces. The airframe is stealthier than other 4th generation fighters, but does not carry weapons in one or more internal bays like 5th generation fighters. The program is led by South Korea, which holds 80% of shares. Indonesia joined in 2010 for 20%, and the remainder is held by private partners including manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI). The KAI KF-X is South Korea's second domestic fighter jet development program, following the FA-50.

The KF-X development program is also known as Boramae (Korean: 보라매, literally 'young hawk' or 'eyas'), and in Indonesia is referred to as IF-X. The first prototype was completed and unveiled in April 2021 with the name KF-21 Boramae. The first test flight is anticipated in 2022, with manufacturing scheduled to begin in 2026. Forty aircraft are planned to be delivered by 2028, with South Korea expecting to deploy a total of 120 of the aircraft by 2032. It also will be available for export market.

Variants[edit | edit source]

  • KF-21 Block I: The block I focuses on the air-superiority capabilities.
  • KF-21 Block II: After further developments, the KF-21 will become a swing role fighters with attack and reconnaissance capabilities added.
  • KF-21 Block III: Block III will be developed as a 5.5+ generation fighter jet, featuring internal weapons bays, enhanced stealth through radar-absorbent materials, and upgraded AESA radar with next-gen avionics. It will support unmanned teaming, network-centric warfare, and improved situational awareness. A domestically developed Korean engine is also planned to replace the current F414-GE-400, reducing foreign dependence. Block III aims to combine high-end performance, survivability, and cost-effectiveness in a competitive fifth-generation platform.
    • KF-21EX:The KF-21EX is a planned advanced variant of the KF-21 Boramae that aims to significantly enhance the jet's strike capability, survivability, and operational effectiveness, particularly within a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) construct. The most significant structural change in this upgraded version is the addition of an internal weapons bay, which allows the aircraft to carry munitions such as the GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and MBDA Meteor missiles without increasing its radar cross-section. This capability brings the KF-21EX to the strike power of fifth-generation fighters like the F-35. The aircraft will also receive several stealth-focused upgrades, including a reprofiled canopy, low-RCS radome, and new conformal antennas, to improve its survivability against radar threats. In its MUM-T role, the KF-21EX will serve as a manned command platform, working alongside future autonomous drones that will act as stand-in jammers to suppress enemy air defenses. To support this, the fighter will feature enhanced avionics, including an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), Distributed Apature System (DAS), an upgraded electronic warfare suite, and potentially an AI-enabled mission computer and expendable decoys.
    • KF-21EA: One of the three new variants revealed in June 2024. Will serve as an electronic warfare aircraft comparable to the EA-18G Growler. This variant would be based on the two-seat KF-21, incorporating a dedicated station for an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) to manage complex electromagnetic environments. The KF-21EA will be designed to perform a critical escort role, utilizing its advanced jamming suite to suppress enemy air defenses and degrade hostile radar systems. By creating a 'protective bubble' of electromagnetic interference, it will secure safe corridors for friendly fighter and bomber formations, significantly increasing their survivability during high-threat deep-strike missions.
    • KF-21SA: One of the three new variants revealed in June 2024. Will reportedly be a variant specifically dedicated to the export market, with opportunities for the client to modify the aircraft.[249] Specifically, the KF-21SA will offer tailored configurations to suit a customer's specific environmental conditions, including optimized cooling systems for high-temperature climates and specialized anti-corrosion/anti-humid coatings for maritime or tropical operations. To further appeal to international buyers, the variant will support the integration of locally produced armaments and indigenous mission equipment, ensuring compatibility with the purchasing nation's existing defense infrastructure.
  • KF-21N: In September 2022, KAI unveiled a model of the KF-21N, a carrier-based version of the fighter. In May 2022, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) decided to drop funding for the CVX, a planned small aircraft carrier capable of operating STOVL F-35B jets. It was later clarified that the MND would consider purchasing a larger aircraft carrier design, if a maritime jet fighter could be developed indigenously. Anticipating this, KAI began a preliminary design concept to make the KF-21 carrier-capable. The wings were 20% larger to ensure safety and stabilization when taking off and landing, and could fold for more compact storage. Structural changes would make the airframe capable of CATOBAR and STOBAR operations.
  • KF-21B: A variant planned for the ROKAF Black Eagles aerobatic team as a high-performance successor to the aging T-50B, with a projected transition beginning around 2028. This variant is strategically vital for the team's international operations because it features built-in aerial refueling capabilities—a critical upgrade that resolves the range limitations of the current fleet and allows for seamless global deployment without relying on diplomatic stopovers for ground refueling.

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