Korea KF-X/ IF-X (KF-21) program

No Name said:

How did South Korea get the KF-21 unit cost to $65 million per unit?

Click to expand...

I don't know, it probably reflected the exchange rate, labor costs, and raw material prices at the time. It's probably higher now. But at the point of mass production, it will be closer to the targeted unit cost.

Korea and Indonesia agreed to cut KF-21 development contributions from 1.6 trillion won(20%) to 600 billion won and reduce technology transfer.
It reduced from 20% to about 7%.

Indonesia is expected to pay the remaining 200 billion won in sharing costs in installments of 100 billion won per year.

However, the specific scope of technology transfer resulting from the reduction in Indonesia's share of the costs will require additional negotiations and discussions after the KF-21 Full Scale Development is completed.

The two countries also discussed the mass production of Indonesia's IF-X.

KAI and Indonesian state-owned company PTDI agreed to solidify and strengthen strategic cooperation in areas ranging from production to marketing in order to realize the mass production of IF-X, including the establishment and maintenance of infrastructure for production and final assembly, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

KF-21 prototype No. 6 undergoing maintenance in the second hangar, which was completed this year.
View attachment 131879092.1.edit.jpg View attachment 131879093.1.edit.jpg View attachment 131879094.1.edit.jpg View attachment 131879095.1.edit.jpg

An additional contract worth a total of 3.1 trillion won for the introduction of Korean fighter KF-21 has been completed. The Air Force's plan to electrify 40 KF-21s by 2028 is expected to go smoothly.

KAI announced on the 26th that it has signed a remaining contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, including the supply of 20 Korean fighter jets, KF-21. This contract includes follow-up military support (technical instructors, education, etc.), totaling 2.39 trillion won.

In addition, Hanwha Aerospace also signed an additional contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to supply KF-21 fighter engines worth about 62.3 billion won. Hanwha System also signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to supply 20 active phase array (AESA) radars worth 124.8 billion won.


In March last year, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration approved a plan to deliver a total of 40 KF-21 first mass-produced aircraft to the Air Force by 2028 at the Defense Promotion Committee. Based on this, it signed the first mass production priority contract for 20 KF-21s in June last year, and this time signed a contract for the remaining 20 units, completing the contract for a total of 40 units.

Korea's KF-21 system development project is a key national defense project to replace the retired and aged F-4 and F-5 of the Air Force and develop 4.5-generation fighter jets suitable for future battlefield operations. It plans to complete the development of the system next year and deploy it in the Air Force from the second half of next year. A KAI official said, "The development and mass production of KF-21 are symbols of the rapid growth of the barren Korean aviation industry," adding, "As we have completed the first mass production contract, we will do our best to contribute to the strengthening of our air force's power and the development of the aviation industry."


Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract to supply KF-21 fighter engines worth 556.2 billion won in June last year, and signed an additional engine supply contract worth about 62.3 billion won on the same day.

According to the signing of this contract, the total contract for the first mass production of KF-21 is about 1.1794 trillion won, and 80 F414 engines will be supplied by December 2028. The contract also includes the supply of maintenance parts, engine maintenance instructors, and follow-up military support such as on-site technical support. Hanwha Aerospace has been producing more than 10,000 engines for 46 years, starting with the Air Force F-4 fighter in 1979, KF-16, F-15K, T-50 and KF-21, and has developed 11 engines on its own.

Umigami said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1938423986997854630

Click to expand...

The pilot:

Poland Air Force Commander Novak boarded the KF-21 prototype.

KAI unveiled its KF-21 assembly line at its fixed-wing production site. Currently, the first mass-produced unit is in the final assembly stage, with LRUs being installed. The second and third units are in the final stages of structural assembly and awaiting preparation for final assembly. (The video appears to have been filmed previously.)

A graphic depicting a total of five units on the line. As far as I remember, the lines next to it are the assembly lines for the T/FA-50 series. I think the helicopters were next to that.

It is also worth noting that, according to the person in charge, 80% of the parts processing for the first 20 units of mass production, which was signed last year, has been completed. There are some supply issues with the LRU, but KAI, the government, and other relevant agencies are responding comprehensively, and they have promised that the goal of delivery in the second half of 2026 will be met. It is very difficult for the supply chain to recover to pre-COVID levels.

I don't understand why I only discovered this important video now, and why I can only watch it in shorts. Anyway, I like the drift of the AIM-2000.

South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae program took another major step toward operational readiness as its sixth prototype aircraft completed a series of high-stakes test flights, including air-to-air gunnery and weapons separation trials, program officials confirmed this week.

The advanced 4.5-generation fighter, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), is on track to conclude its Block 1 development phase by early next year, with Block 2 enhancements set to follow immediately.

Speaking after the latest test campaign, KAI’s chief test pilot, Cha Myung-soo, described the intense pace of trials designed to refine the aircraft’s flight control systems and ensure combat readiness.

“Today’s sortie focused on compensating for potential attitude changes when the onboard gun is fired,” Cha said. “We verified that the flight control system can stabilize the aircraft effectively, even during rapid-fire conditions.”

The KF-21 prototype No. 6 has been central to testing advanced electronic warfare systems, while other airframes in the six-aircraft fleet have been designated for distinct mission profiles, including high angle-of-attack recovery and radar integration.

“This is a highly modular test program. Each prototype specializes in validating different capabilities to accelerate overall development,” Cha explained.

KAI confirmed that the program has already logged more than 1,300 sorties—roughly 70% of Block 1’s planned flight tests. Recent milestones include successful air-to-air missile firings of the Meteor and AIM-2000, even under supersonic conditions and external fuel tank configurations.

“From initial glide tests to complex combat scenarios, the KF-21 has demonstrated steady progress,” a KAI program engineer noted. “This puts us on schedule for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s operational evaluation early next year.”

Beyond Block 1, Block 2 upgrades will introduce precision air-to-ground capabilities, further cementing the KF-21’s role as South Korea’s next frontline fighter. Future variants are also expected to incorporate fully internal weapons bays for enhanced stealth.

The Boramae, meaning “young hawk” in Korean, is designed to replace aging F-4 and F-5 fighters in South Korea’s inventory, while serving as a potential export platform for allied nations.

Cha emphasized safety as a top priority during testing. “Every sortie is conducted with meticulous preparation and redundancy because the success of this program carries national importance,” he said.

With Block 1 deliveries on the horizon and Block 2 development in sight, South Korea’s ambitious fighter jet program is positioning itself as a cornerstone of the nation’s defense modernization efforts.

The missile launch test I posted on Sunday seems to have taken place on June 12. It seems that this test was conducted under rather difficult conditions. Another aerial refueling test is scheduled for September, and the High AOA test, which has been delayed, will be conducted soon. Once various performance tests are completed by the end of this year, OT&E will be conducted on mass-produced aircraft before they are delivered to the Air Force. The development of Block 2 will add air-to-ground capabilities, and is scheduled to begin immediately after the completion of Block 1 early next year.

MBDA has recently shown a tendency to frequently display KAI aircraft models when exhibiting its weapons in Asia. Interestingly, the Meteor missile launched this time is a crop pin model that can be mounted in the internal weapon bay. The KF-21 is the first aircraft to launch it. In South Korea, it was purchased for use with the F-35A that was introduced for compatibility.

Hanwha Systems rolls out first production KF-21 AESA radar​

It will deliver 40 AESA sets between 2025-2028 for deployment on the KF-21. So far, Seoul has ordered a total of 40 examples, with deliveries to the Republic of Korea Air Force to commence in late 2026.

The radar has been involved with the KF-21 testing campaign. The programme’s third prototype first took the set aloft in March 2023. Earlier flight tests between November 2022 and February 2023 saw the radar mounted aboard a Boeing 737-500 operated by South Africa’s Aircraft Instrument and Electronics.


The hardware of the indigenously developed AESA set was developed by Hanwha Systems, and its software by LIG Nex1.

The roll-out took place at the new Yongin research and development centre, which is focused on AESA development. The facility is equipped to evaluate the capabilities of AESA radars in the 1,000 transmit/receive module range.

Commemoration of the ROK - UAE Friendship Flight

KF-21 displayed at the Space Challenge event held in Seosan.

This is a rather interesting sub-support equipment developed during the KF-21 Full Scale Development phase.

The multi-purpose packaging case passed eight environmental test categories in accordance with MIL-STD-810G with Change 1. Plastic cases used to protect precision components for aircraft parts primarily employed by the ROKAF have been monopolized by a handful of companies, such as P Company (likely PELICAN), leading to persistent imbalances in pricing and procurement. Therefore, GV ENGINEERING localized the product to ensure stable procurement and secure price competitiveness.

KF-21 First Front-Seat Test Flight for Indonesian Pilot Colonel Pnb Mohammad Sugiyanto​

The defense cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea has once again reached an important milestone. Air Force Colonel Pnb Mohammad Sugiyanto, an Indonesian Air Force test pilot with the callsign "Mammoth," successfully completed his first test flight as the front seater on the prototype of the 4.5 generation fighter jet, the KF-21 Boramae, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Sacheon, South Korea.

During the one-hour mission, Mammoth conducted performance and Stability & Control testing at altitudes between 10,000 and 20,000 feet, accompanied by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) test pilot, Koh Hwi Seok.

Previously, on May 16, 2023, Colonel Pnb Sugiyanto made history as the first foreign pilot to fly in the back seat of the KF-21. Now, his success in occupying the front seat further affirms Indonesia's active role in the joint fighter jet development program.

The involvement of Indonesian Air Force pilots in the test flight phase is part of the implementation of the Indonesia-South Korea cooperation in the KF-21/IF-X project. Additionally, this activity also includes efforts for technology transfer and improving the quality of human resources in the defense sector.

The success of the future fighter jet program for both countries is expected to strengthen defense technology self-reliance (or independence), while also enhancing professionalism in building a powerful Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), characterized as AMPUH (Adaptable, Modern, Professional, Superior, and Humanist).

urban mine said:

Bei Facebook anmelden

Melde dich bei Facebook an, um dich mit deinen Freunden, deiner Familie und Personen, die du kennst, zu verbinden und Inhalte zu teilen.

www.facebook.com

KF-21 First Front-Seat Test Flight for Indonesian Pilot Colonel Pnb Mohammad Sugiyanto​

The defense cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea has once again reached an important milestone. Air Force Colonel Pnb Mohammad Sugiyanto, an Indonesian Air Force test pilot with the callsign "Mammoth," successfully completed his first test flight as the front seater on the prototype of the 4.5 generation fighter jet, the KF-21 Boramae, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Sacheon, South Korea.

Click to expand...

Defense cooperation? Important milestone? I do not remember ever coming across a partner in a fighter development project that was less co-operative than Indonesia.

Spitfire9 said:

Defense cooperation? Important milestone? I do not remember ever coming across a partner in a fighter development project that was less co-operative than Indonesia.

Click to expand...

Since last June, they have been paying their share of the costs as agreed. Whether they are sincere or not, once they remain partners, both countries must see it through to the end. The leaders of both countries have no intention of ending this partnership anyway.

urban mine said:

Since last June, they have been paying their share of the costs as agreed. Whether they are sincere or not, once they remain partners, both countries must see it through to the end. The leaders of both countries have no intention of ending this partnership anyway.

Click to expand...

I can see it is useful for ROK to continue a relationship with Indonesia. It has suffered considerable financial losses from partnering on KF-X. If Indonesia does end up buying some KF-21 that would help recoup some or all of those losses.