KF-21 Fighter Jet Put South Korea in Elite Group of Fighter Jet Manufacturers

defenseuptodate.com – South Korea has become a new powerhouse that has been recognized worldwide and is part of an elite group of supersonic fighter jet-producing countries after successfully completing the KF-21 test flight. South Korea is also included in the ranks of elite countries producing supersonic fighter jets such as the United States, Sweden and Russia.

In the defense update report, it was stated that the KF-21 succeeded in placing South Korea in the elite ranks, it was not easy, only a few countries were able to develop advanced supersonic fighter aircraft.

KF-21 Flight Test

Testing of the KF-21 took place on July 19, 2022. At that time the fighter jet took off from the Sacheon City air base at 3:40 p.m. local time and conducted a test flight in the air for 30 minutes.

This jet is made by the Korean Aerospace Industry 047810.KS (KAI). Indonesia is also collaborating in the development of the fighter jet. In 2014, Indonesia and South Korea agreed to develop a jet through a project worth 8.1 trillion won.

The inaugural flight of the KF-21 is a significant achievement for a country that has no history in aircraft production.

Some of the countries in the elite group of countries producing advanced supersonic fighter jets are the United States, Russia, China, Japan, France, Sweden, and France. From the European region, there are England, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Of the names of these countries, only the US and China have domestically made fifth-generation fighter jets. And are developing their respective sixth generation fighter jets. This will certainly be more exciting to see the map of the world’s military strength that continues to grow.

The aircraft have radar jamming capabilities, and avionics that integrate data remotely to give a real-time picture of their operations.

Regarding the KF-21, this fighter jet is a generation 4.5 because it does not have features such as an internal weapons bay that would make it stealthy like a fifth-generation aircraft. The fifth-gen aircraft have radar jamming capabilities, and avionics that integrate data remotely to give a real-time picture of their operations.

Collaboration KF-21 dan F-35

But analysts say the KF-21 may be able to fly higher and faster and could collaborate with the US-made fifth aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II.

This concept makes good use of the F-35, which is optimized for striking ground targets whereas the KF -21 has been optimized for air-to-air missions.

The KF-21 has significant export potential because it has a lower production value than the F-35 the US sells to other countries.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the KF-21 jet would be a stepping stone to developing even more sophisticated fighter aircraft in the future.