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will also produce the KF-21’s GE F414-400K
engines under license in South Korea. MBDA
is working closely with KAI for integration of
the Meteor Beyond-Visual Range Air-to-Air
Missile (BVRAAM) on KF-21 and is also execut-
ing several offset projects with Korean industry.
The ramjet powered Meteor will significantly [ COVER STORY ]
enhance the combat lethality of KF-X com-
pared to other aircraft in the region, which are
only armed with conventional rocket-powered
missiles with lower range. Meteor is also being
integrated onto F-35, and MBDA’s high-perfor-
mance ASRAAM within-visual range air-to-air
missile is already in operational service on the
5th generation type.

Advanced Inductions
The newest fighter jet in the ROKAF’s inventory The ROKAF is also upgrading its fleet of four Boeing ‘Peace Eye’
is the F-35A Lightning II of which it has 40 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft under a
on order. Deliveries commenced in 2019 and US$433 million deal to enhance the interoperability of the fleet
are slated to conclude this year, with the fleet with the U.S. military. The first aircraft will be delivered in late 2024
operating as part of the ROKAF’s 17th Fighter and the remaining aircraft in 2025. As part of the deal, the AEW&C
Wing located at Cheongju Air Base. According aircraft will receive upgraded Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and
to Lockheed Martin, the global F-35 fleet is Link-16 tactical data link systems. Boeing is the prime systems
averaging around 70% mission capable rates. integrator for the upgrade. The ROKAF ordered four Peace Eye
In addition to the ROK, Japan and Australia aircraft in 2006 as part of a US$1.6 billion deal, with the first two
plan to acquire 147 and 100 F-35s respectively, aircraft delivered in 2011 and the fourth and aircraft delivered in
while Singapore is on track to receive its first October 2012. ROKAF Base Gimhae is the Peace Eye fleet's main
F-35B in 2026. operating base. Boeing completed a two-year Depot Maintenance
contract at the end of 2017, providing in-depth training and support
to enable ROKAF to organically conduct AEW&C aircraft depot
The ROKAF’s F-15K fleet will remain in service heavy maintenance checks. Korean Air’s Aerospace Division han-
till 2040. A total of 61 aircraft were ordered in dles technical services, spares, and related parts-handling services,
two tranches in 2002 and 2008 respectively, while LIG Nex1 takes care of networking and training, Samsung
with the last two aircraft delivered in 2012. Thales handled mission crew training and Huneed Technologies
Korean F-15Ks also carry the Taurus KEPD supplied the ground-based datalink communications system.
350K modular stand-off missile system, which
has a range of approximately 500 km. Two
Taurus KEPD 350K missiles which weigh 1.4 Upgraded Surveillance
tonne each can be carried on an F-15K confer- In July, Korean Air’s Aerospace Division announced its intention
ring the ROKAF with significant strike capability to bid as the main contractor to upgrade the ROKAF’s Baekdu
against hardened targets. Boeing continues to reconnaissance aircraft.
support the F-15K fleet through a long-term, “WE HAVE ACCUMULATED A SIGNIFICANT
affordable PBL program, ensuring that the
F-15Ks are operationally ready. Logistics han- AMOUNT OF KNOW-HOW THROUGH OUR
dling and supply chain distribution for the F-15K PARTICIPATION IN THE FIRST PROJECT THAT
PBL programme is handled by Hyundai Glovis WILL HELP US TO SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT THE
SECOND PROJECT. WE HAVE ALREADY SIGNED AN
The ROKAF’s four A330 MRTTs mid-air refu- AIRCRAFT PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH DASSAULT
ellers designated ‘KC-330 Cygnus’ within the
service, achieved full operational capability last AVIATION TO SPEED UP PREPARATIONS FOR THE
year. The KC-330s are operated by the 5th Air PROJECT,” a Korean Air representative said.
Mobility Wing (5th Wing). The introduction of
aerial refuelling tanker planes has enabled the According to Korean Air, the second Baekdu project will deliver four
Air Force to improve its operational capabilities aircraft with advanced SIGINT, COMINT and ELINT capability along
at long distances, resulting in more effective with the technology to capture foreign instrumentation signature
implementation of operations in the Korean Air intelligence (FISINT) and detect flames when missiles are launched.
Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) such as This will be the second time the surveillance aircraft are being
Dokdo and Ieodo island. modified and the six older Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft will be

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