Page 18 - SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2024 - INSIGHT

Fighter Leader

Production of South Korea’s KF-21

slated to Begin this Year.

By ATUL CHANDRA

orea Aerospace Industries advanced fighter to have com- air sequentially from first to last.
(KAI) is moving to swiftly menced development in the 21st These six-prototype aircraft will
complete design and century and makes use of advanced have to complete, approximately
K development of its KF-21, manufacturing techniques from the 2,000 sorties before KAI obtains
4.5 generation fighter. The KF-21 4th industrial revolution. Korea’s Type Certification. KAI is thought to
is the most advanced fighter to Defence Acquisition Programme have completed over 400 test flights
be indigenously developed in the Administration (DAPA) announced till date. The KF-21 prototypes have
region. While many may consider in December 2023, that the first completed evaluation of supersonic
the Chinese J-20 to be the most KF-21 mass production contract flight, air-to-air weapon separation
advanced fighter type developed in would be inked with KAI in 2024 tests and the Republic of Korea Air
the region, however the KF-21 will with production commencing soon Force (ROKAF) has approved the
likely feature a greater integration after. KAI is expecting a production ‘provisional combat version’ of the
of advanced technologies, sen- order for 40 KF-21 Block I fighter aircraft, which has paved the way
sors, weapon systems on entry into jets. for start of activities related to series
service. production.
Accelerated Development
In an interaction with this author, a KAI will accelerate flight testing
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) All six KF-21 prototypes are now related activities this year and
official said the KF-21 is the first flying, and these aircraft took to the KF-21 prototype 4 is undergoing

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