Korea KF-X/ IF-X (KF-21) program

[urban mine]

So how will this end for Indonesia, will they be kicked out?

No. It's highly unlikely. Officials involved KF-X/IF-X have said that cooperation will continue whenever asked about the relationship with Indonesia.
Even after this incident.

 

[Spitfire9]

An extraordinary report in defensenews...

MANILA, Philippines — South Korea will build 40 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets this year with the 238.7 billion won (U.S. $178.6 million) allocated for the Defense Ministry, even as the aircraft makes its way through flight and ground tests.

South Korea to start mass production of KF-21 fighter jets

The first mass production of the KF-21 is expected to fill the “power vacuum” left when the South Korean Air Force’s aging fighter fleet retires.

www.defensenews.com

I wonder if this is inaccurately reported or mistranslated or if there is a typo (4 jets to be built this year, not 40).

 

[urban mine]

As you suspect, this is a mistranslation. The 238.7 billion won is reflected in the start of the LRIP this year.

 

[Chocopie]

An extraordinary report in defensenews...

South Korea to start mass production of KF-21 fighter jets

The first mass production of the KF-21 is expected to fill the “power vacuum” left when the South Korean Air Force’s aging fighter fleet retires.

www.defensenews.com

I wonder if this is inaccurately reported or mistranslated or if there is a typo (4 jets to be built this year, not 40).

The Defensenews journo got the story wrong and other media now spreading the wrong numbers.

Initial production volume KF-21:
40x Block I (air superiority) 2026-2028
Second production volume KF-21:
80x Block II (multi-role) 2029-2032

120 units in total for ROKAF.

Early Nov. 2023 the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) recommended in a business feasibility study to reduce initial numbers of Block I from 40 to 20 and to wait for successful air-to-ground performance tests to additionally produce 20 units in Block II configuration.

국방연 "KF-21 첫 생산물량 40대서 20대로 줄여야" | 연합뉴스

(서울=연합뉴스) 김준태 기자 = 최초의 한국형 초음속 전투기인 KF-21 보라매 초도 생산물량을 기존 계획의 절반으로 줄이는 것이 바람직하다고...

m.yna.co.kr

This report resulted in a parliamentary controversy with the opposition party demanding to stick to former „original“ production plans. Mudslinging between ruling conservatives and opposing liberals. Unfortunately the criticized KIDA director in charge of the study passed away in late Dec. 2023

KF-21 보라매 사업 분석단장 별세…"몸 안 좋다" 조퇴 후 쓰러져 | 연합뉴스

(서울=연합뉴스) 김준태 기자 = 한국형 초음속 전투기 'KF-21 보라매' 사업 타당성 조사를 총괄하던 고병성 한국국방연구원(KIDA) 획득사...

m.yna.co.kr

Now they’re sticking to the „original“ plan of 40 units for initial production volume without waiting for air-to-ground performance validation.
So the partial amount of 238.7 billion won (~$178 million) in the defense budget 2024 reflect the calculation with total costs for 40 units til 2028 in mind.

내년 국방예산 59조원 확정…KF-21 전투기 첫 양산 돌입 | 연합뉴스

(서울=연합뉴스) 김귀근 기자 = 내년도 국방예산이 올해보다 4.2% 증가한 59조4천244억원으로 확정됐다고 국방부가 21일 밝혔다.

m.yna.co.kr

Doesn‘t mean you can get 40 KF-21 produced in 1 year for a lump sum of $178 million. That would be a dream come true

 

[Chocopie]

KF-21 fighter jet successfully completes aerial refueling test​

Without music:

Korea's supersonic KF-21 fighter jet successfully completed an aerial refueling test expanding its operational radius for the first time on Tuesday.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced Tuesday that KF-21 prototype No. 5 took off from the 3rd training airfield in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang that morning and succeeded in an aerial refueling flight over waters off Korea's southeastern coast. The KF-21 fighter jet is set to be deployed in 2026.

The Air Force’s KC-330 tanker aircraft connected a refueling rod to the KF-21 and injected fuel into the fighter jet while flying.

The refueling test examined how turbulence during aerial refueling affects the operation of the KF-21, and whether the connection and separation of the tanker and the KF-21 can be done safely.

Aerial refueling increases the endurance time of a fighter jet by increasing how long it can fly and how many bombs it can carry.

“Although it can vary by timing and quantity, one aerial refueling is expected to increase the operational radius by about 50 percent," DAPA said Tuesday. “Aerial refueling can expand the operational radius and operating time of the KF-21, maximizing operational effects such as long-distance mission capabilities and the combat power of the Air Force.”

“We plan to continue verifying the KF-21’s aerial refueling capabilities at various altitudes and speeds about 60 times until March 2025,” said Noh Ji-man, head of the DAPA’s Korean fighter project division.

A total of six prototypes of the KF-21 have been built. They passed tests on assorted capabilities such as supersonic flight and air-to-air weapon separation to qualify as provisionally suitable for combat. The first production model of the KF-21 will be delivered to the Air Force in the first half of 2026.

The development project for the KF-21 was launched in 2015 jointly with Indonesia in order to develop a supersonic fighter jet to replace the Air Force’s F-4 and F-5 jets.

It hasn't been a smooth process for the jet. The police are currently investigating the alleged technology data theft related to the KF-21 after DAPA, the Defense Forces Counterintelligence Command and the National Intelligence Service jointly held an internal investigation into two Indonesian engineers involved in the project.

The engineers were first caught on Jan. 17 trying to leak KF-21 data by smuggling out a USB device from the KAI headquarters. The police stepped into the investigation on Feb. 22 and raided the Korean Aerospace Industries offices last week.

The two suspects are currently prohibited from leaving the country.

Indonesia promised to pay 20 percent of the $6.5 billion funding for the KF-21, but Jakarta has been delaying payments.

DAPA reaffirmed on Tuesday that Indonesia must complete its payment for the project by 2026.

"There is no change in our stance," an official from DAPA said.

KF-21 fighter jet successfully completes aerial refueling test

Korea's supersonic KF-21 fighter jet successfully completed an aerial refueling test expanding its operational radius for the first time on Tuesday.

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

Edit: corrected wrong Indonesian cost share sum in article.

 

[Chocopie]

Successful extreme weather conditions and environmental simulation test of KF-21 004 prototype:

• simulation of low temperature, rainfall, icing
• waterproofing and anti-icing performance test on the ground

 

[urban mine]

https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/448/0000458259
Until now, it has been testing the stability of the aircraft and missile operation by flying at a low speed of 400 to 800 kilometers per hour, and it was confirmed that it exceeded Mach 1.8 of the top speed of the aircraft for the first time in a test flight on May 2.

https://defence-industry.eu/south-k...d-meteor-missile-from-kf-21-boramae-aircraft/
On May 8, the South Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) conducted a successful test of the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile from the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet.
.
.
Additionally, DAPA also confirmed the successful testing of the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile on the same day, further showcasing the KF-21’s versatile armament capabilities. The KF-21 Boramae is now the fourth aircraft type to be integrated with the Meteor missile, following the Rafale, Eurofighter, and Gripen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related photos and videos have not been released yet, but they are expected to be released soon. During the missile launch test, there is no video taken from the outside aircraft, but only video taken from inside KF-21.

 

[Nilgiri]

https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/448/0000458259
Until now, it has been testing the stability of the aircraft and missile operation by flying at a low speed of 400 to 800 kilometers per hour, and it was confirmed that it exceeded Mach 1.8 of the top speed of the aircraft for the first time in a test flight on May 2.

https://defence-industry.eu/south-k...d-meteor-missile-from-kf-21-boramae-aircraft/
On May 8, the South Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) conducted a successful test of the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile from the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet.
.
.
Additionally, DAPA also confirmed the successful testing of the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile on the same day, further showcasing the KF-21’s versatile armament capabilities. The KF-21 Boramae is now the fourth aircraft type to be integrated with the Meteor missile, following the Rafale, Eurofighter, and Gripen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related photos and videos have not been released yet, but they are expected to be released soon. During the missile launch test, there is no video taken from the outside aircraft, but only video taken from inside KF-21.

Excellent news, meteor is extremely potent addition to the arsenal.

Is Korea working on its own A2A missile programs?

 

[Afif]

Excellent news, meteor is extremely potent addition to the arsenal.

Is Korea working on its own A2A missile programs?

South Korea plans $4B in new weapons investments, including $583M of SM-3s - Breaking Defense

In addition, South Korea will buy four new frigates and create a new air-to-air missile; all told, the three projects will represent roughly $4 billion in investments.

breakingdefense.com

Iirc, They showed a similar mock up to Meteor. Only slightly larger. 200mm body for the BVR weapon and 400mm body for AShM.

 

[urban mine]

Excellent news, meteor is extremely potent addition to the arsenal.

Is Korea working on its own A2A missile programs?

I heard that the short-range air-to-air guided missile started planning in 2023 and will be completed by CDR in 2028. The long-range air-to-air guided missile started planning this year and is expected to be completed by the early 2030s.

Considering that both programs are scheduled to end in 2035, I think this image is an intuitive representation of the Korean air armament plan.

 

[urban mine]

The CG of a South Korean mid-range air-to-air guided missile has been publicly available since 2020. It was published in ADD's own magazine when introducing the development strategy. Like Meteo, it applied Ducted Ramjet. Please note that the CG is only an approximate shape.

 

[urban mine]

KF-21 on the farewell flight of the F-4 Phantom

 

[urban mine]

 

[Spitfire9]

KF-21 updates...

KF-21 exceeds mach 1.8 in flight...
https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/448/0000458259

KF-21 joins Eurofighter, Rafale, Gripen in the Meteor club..
https://defence-industry.eu/south-korea ... -aircraft/

Dispute with Indonesia may soon be resolved...

Korea hints at accepting Indonesia's cost sharing reduction proposal on KF-21 project

Korea's state procurement agency on Wednesday hinted at accepting Indonesia's proposal to reduce its cost sharing for the KF-21 fighter jet program under the condition of providing fewer technology transfers, a move that would increase the financial burden on Seoul.

www.koreatimes.co.kr

 

[Oublious]

View attachment 67942 View attachment 67943 View attachment 67944 View attachment 67945 View attachment 67946 View attachment 67947

lol

i hopr we will do it the same wth Kaan next to F4 Terminators...

 

[urban mine]

 

[Umigami]

View attachment 69272 View attachment 69274

I don't why but for me almost all fighter jets look better in their double seater config

 

[Chocopie]

Hanwha Aerospace looks to join engine big leagues​

By Greg Waldron22 July 2024

South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace is poised to play a key role in the nation’s next aerospace endeavour: the creation of an indigenous fighter engine.

The prospective engine will power the future Block III variant of the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 fighter, says Won-Wook Kim, head of Hanwha’s Advanced Aero engine Business unit.

Source: Greg Waldron/FlightGlobal
The planned engine will power future versions of the KF-21 fighter
The KF-21 is now powered by two GE Aerospace F414 engines, which will be license produced by Hanwha.

The new powerplant is envisaged with a thrust of 15,000lb (66.7kN), and will need to be more powerful than the GE Aerospace F414s that power six KF-21 prototypes and Block I and II production examples.

Underlining its ambitions, the company unveiled a conceptual Advanced Aero Engine engine at the Farnborough air show.

Seoul has clearly stated its plans for advanced fighter engines. At the end of 2023 the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said that it had commenced research into a locally designed fighter engine to increase the nations aerospace and export capabilities.

Kim says that a South Korean engine could also be modified to serve other functions, such as powering KAI’s prospective MC-X medium transport aircraft or powering naval vessels. Longer term, the engine could even have applications in aircraft produced outside South Korea.

Hanwha has extensive experience with engines. In addition to licence producing legacy engines for decades, it builds the F404 that powers the T-50/FA-50 family of trainers and light attack jets. It will also licence produce the F414 that powers the twin-engined KF-21.

In addition, Hanwha is also a key part of the supply chain for major international engine programmes, with a focus on rotating components.

Hanwha has put forward two proposals to the South Korean government about how to develop the engine. The first involves working with a foreign partner, and Hanwha has held early discussions to this end. The second involves producing the engine indigenously.

Hanwha has also carefully looked at the experiences of countries that have struggled to produce indigenous engines. These lessons will be applied to Hanwha’s efforts.

“This is very challenging and very exciting work for anybody in Korea that works in this industry,” says Kim.

“It’s not going to be easy, but I believe that we have the passion, the energy and the best capability to make this successful.”

Hanwha Aerospace looks to join engine big leagues

South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace is poised to play a key role in the nation's next aerospace endeavour: the creation of an indigenous fighter engine.

www.flightglobal.com

 

[Chocopie]

Hanwha Aerospace at Farnborough International Airshow 2024 showcasing indigenous 15,000 lbf turbofan engine prototype model (18,000 lbf/AB 25,000 lbf engines for KF-21 Block III), AESA radars for fighter jet and drones & more.

Nice promo clip:

Exhibition pics:

 

[urban mine]

S. Korea approves cutting Indonesia's contribution for joint KF-21 fighter project to 600 bln won | Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense authorities on Friday approved a pla...

en.yna.co.kr

S. Korea approves cutting Indonesia's contribution for joint KF-21 fighter project to 600 bln won​

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense authorities on Friday approved a plan to reduce Indonesia's contribution for a joint fighter jet development project to 600 billion won (US$440 million), about one-third of the original amount, the state arms procurement agency said.

The Defense Project Promotion Committee endorsed the plan amid concerns over Jakarta's commitment to the KF-21 project due to its repeated payment delays.

Indonesia initially agreed to pay 1.6 trillion won, representing 20 percent of the 8.1 trillion-won program launched in 2015 to develop an advanced supersonic fighter. However, Indonesia has so far contributed only around 380 billion won and has recently requested to reduce its total financial contribution to 600 billion won.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the plan covers ways to secure insufficient funds, but did not offer details.

It said the approval considered various factors, including bilateral relations and the possibility of securing the funds, adding that it would properly wrap up cost-sharing talks with Indonesia.

Despite the payment delays, the project is on track to start delivering the advanced fighters, designed to replace South Korea's F-4 and F-5 Cold War-era jets, to the Air Force in 2026.

In June, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., the country's sole fighter jet builder, signed a 1.96 trillion-won deal with DAPA to start production of 20 KF-21s.

KF-21 인니 분담금 1조원 깎아 6천억원으로…기술이전은 축소(종합)

방추위 열어 인도네시아 제안 수용 확정155㎜ 사거리연장탄 양산하고 추후 유도기능 부여미사일 시험 발사하는 KF-21[KAI 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지] (서울=연합뉴스) 김지헌 기자 = 한국형 전투기 KF-21 '보라매'의 공동 개발국인 인도네시아의 분담금이 당초 1조6천억 원에서 6천억 원으로 축소됐다. 방위사업청은...

n.news.naver.com

As for the KF-21 prototype, which Indonesia was originally supposed to receive in exchange for co-development, “If they want the prototype, we will discuss it, but if the total value of the technology transfer (plus the prototype) exceeds their share, they may have to pay more,” he said.
.
.
The cost of the KF-21 was initially set at 8.1 trillion won ($8.1 billion), but the DAPA expects it to be reduced by 500 billion won to 7.6 trillion won due to cost savings during the development process.

Therefore, even if Indonesia's contribution is reduced from 1.6 trillion won to 600 billion won, the shortfall will be 500 billion won instead of 1 trillion won.