South Korea joins the ‘big boys’ with rollout of KF-21
The first KF-21 Boramae prototype is rolled out. (DAPA)
Six years after launching the programme, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) rolled out a prototype of its KF-21 Boramae fighter on 9 April. KF-21 is the new name for what was previously referred to as the KF-X, and Boramae refers to a falconer-trained hawk that is less than a year old.
Befitting the occasion, as South Korea entered the select ranks of those nations able to design a modern supersonic fighter, President Moon Jae officiated at the ceremony at KAI’s headquarters in Sacheon.
‘We’ve got our own supersonic fighter jet finally. We have opened a new era of self-defence and
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability moves ahead with development contracts
The Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme is a transnational effort across NATO to replace a range of helicopters which are expected to begin retiring from the mid-2030s.
-
Boeing to upgrade software for KC-46A tanker
The KC-46A upgrades will improve the platform’s mission readiness, performance in challenged airspace and rapid deployment capabilities.
-
Teledyne FLIR promotes ITAR-free Star SAFIRE imaging payload at FIA
The Ultraforce 380-HDc, launched at Farnborough International Airshow, builds on Teledyne FLIR’s successful Star SAFIRE family of systems and is aimed at both the military and security markets.
-
Dutch and Austrian governments collaborate on Embraer C-390 acquisition at Farnborough
The two nations will split the acquisition of the C-390s to boost their airlift capacities.