KF-21 first batch of 20, 20 more to be added after armed test

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A KF-21 displayed at the Seoul ADEX 2023 outdoor exhibition held at Seongnam Seoul Airport in Gyeonggi Province on the 17th of last month [Yonhap]

In the midst of controversy over the news that the feasibility study for the Korean fighter jet KF-21 Boramae suggests reducing the first production quantity from 40 to 20, the government is seeking a compromise.

This is interpreted as a damage control move after a preliminary conclusion from the Korea Defense Research Institute (KIDA)’s feasibility study suggested reducing the initial 40 units, which were to be secured through initial production after signing a mass production contract next year, to 20 units, raising concerns.

A government official said on the 7th, “I understand that the wording of the KIDA feasibility report is being coordinated,” and added, “We can proceed with the initial production of 20 units first, and depending on the results of future weapons tests, we can add another 20 units to secure a total of 40 units.”

This official also said, “Although it is conditional, defense companies can proceed with the project based on the original plan of 40 units.”

In other words, they will start with the initial production of 20 units and, provided the weapons test is successful, proceed to additional production of 20 more units.

It is known that the preliminary conclusion of KIDA, which includes the fact that the success of the KF-21 project is uncertain and the technical maturity has not yet been achieved, will also be softened.

A source familiar with the KF-21 project said, “KIDA is also looking for ways to avoid an increase in the KF-21 unit price or delays in power generation,” and added, “They are trying to find a way to check the overall foreseeable risks of the project without causing any problems.”

Ultimately, the key to initial production is expected to be the integration of the KF-21’s weapons system, which is currently undergoing extensive testing.

The KF-21 Block I project is focused on securing basic flight performance and air-to-air combat capabilities.

Currently, the KF-21 has successfully completed the mid-range air-to-air missile Meteor weapon separation test and aerial gun firing test in March, and the short-range air-to-air missile AIM-2000 weapon separation test in April.

The KF-21 is set to undergo a weapons test to hit a target in an actual aerial situation in the future.

Meanwhile, concerns continue as a preliminary conclusion from KIDA’s feasibility study of the KF-21 project suggested that the initial production quantity should be cut in half from 40 to 20.

In the situation where even the proper number of fighter jets cannot be secured due to the retirement of the F-4 and F-5 series fighter jets, the inevitable power vacuum of the Air Force, as well as the additional costs and idle manpower of over 500 partner companies including Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a system integration company, and Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1, will have a negative impact on the overall defense industry.

If the initial production quantity is cut in half, the estimated KF-21 per unit price of 800 billion won is expected to skyrocket to 1 trillion won, which led to criticism that not only the burden of development costs but also competitiveness in the overseas market will inevitably be lost. Reporter Shin Daewon