In a recent assessment published by the French military journal Meta Defense France, the KF-21 Boramae has been lauded for its exceptional performance and competitive pricing within the 4.5-generation fighter category. The aircraft’s introduction into the global defense market is making waves due to its advanced capabilities and attractive price point.
Although the KF-21 has only recently entered mass production and has yet to be deployed in operational service, its cost-effectiveness poses a significant challenge to traditional European defense manufacturers. This is particularly evident compared to established fighters such as France’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the U.S. F-16 and F-15EX.
The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has finalized a mass production contract worth approximately $1.5 billion (1.96 trillion KRW) with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for 20 KF-21 jets. This contract includes technical manuals and training support. The production phase commenced on July 10, with KAI hosting a ceremony to celebrate the assembly of the first unit and showcase its state-of-the-art domestic automation facilities.
The KF-21, a product of the Korean Fighter (KF-X) program launched in 2015, is a 4.5-generation fighter designed to succeed the retired F-4 and the soon-to-be-retired F-5. The first KF-21 unit will be delivered to the South Korean Air Force by late 2026.
The initial production batch, known as Block-I, will feature air-to-air capabilities and is scheduled to be operational by 2028. Following this, Block-II will be introduced, adding air-to-ground and air-to-sea combat capabilities.
Comparison with European Rivals: Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon
What makes the KF-21 Boramae particularly cost-effective compared to its rivals? Defense industry sources reveal that, excluding development costs, the price for 20 KF-21 jets is approximately $1.15 billion(1.55 trillion KRW). When factoring out the engine (contracted with Hanwha Aerospace for about $420 million) and the AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar (contracted with Hanwha Systems for about $82 million), the unit cost drops to around $57.5 million (77.5 billion KRW). Even with these components included, the price per unit remains competitive at approximately $74 million (100 billion KRW).
As a result, French competitors such as the Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon are significantly more expensive, with unit costs exceeding $111 million (150 billion KRW). According to Meta Defense France, “The KF-21 offers superior cost-effectiveness compared to the Rafale or Typhoon,” further cost reductions could improve its price competitiveness as mass production scales up.
KF-21’s Scalability and Future Developments
The KF-21’s key advantage lies in its scalability, distinguishing it from its peers. As the sole 4.5-generation fighter developed in the 21st century, it is projected to advance towards near-5th-generation stealth capabilities and the potential for manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations.
Meta Defense France expects that “the KF-21 will deliver exceptional performance due to its proven technology and scalable development” and forecasts that the upcoming KF-21EX model will surpass the global fighter market’s Rafale, Typhoon, and F-15EX.
The KF-21 is highly competitive in terms of performance. Last November, Aerotime, an international aviation publication, ranked it fourth in its analysis of the top 10 fighter jets for 2024. The publication praised the KF-21’s recent design and development potential, suggesting that with further enhancements to its stealth and internal electronic systems, it could achieve 5th-generation combat performance.
Despite being classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, the KF-21’s performance rivals 5th-generation stealth aircraft. The radar cross-section (RCS), which measures an aircraft’s visibility to radar, shows that the KF-21’s RCS is reported to be less than 1 square meter, compared to approximately 1 square meter for the Rafale. Consequently, aviation experts rate the KF-21’s stealth capabilities at the ‘Reduced Observable’ level, just below the ‘Low Observable’ classification. The KF-21 aims to reach full, low-observable status by 2040.
Live-Fire Success: KF-21’s Meteor Missile Test
The KF-21 is poised to surpass its competitors in air combat capabilities. In May, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that the KF-21 had successfully conducted its first live-fire test of the Meteor air-to-air missile. The Meteor, renowned for its performance, can reach speeds exceeding Mach 4 and accurately engage targets up to 124 miles (200 km) away. This makes it one of the premier air-to-air missiles available. The KF-21 now stands as the fourth aircraft worldwide to complete a live-fire test of the Meteor, joining the ranks of the Eurofighter, Rafale, and Gripen. The KF-21 can carry four Meteor missiles scheduled for introduction in 2025.
Moreover, the KF-21 can achieve speeds over Mach 1.8 (approximately 1,367 mph or 2,200 km/h), nearly doubling the speed of sound. It is also adept at executing advanced maneuvers at very low speeds, ranging from 93 to 124 mph (150 to 200 km/h).
An additional advantage of the KF-21 is its potential for further development due to its expansive airframe. According to a KAI report released in April last year, the KF-21 is currently in its first mass production stage, featuring air-to-air armaments and basic low-observable capabilities.
The second stage will introduce air-to-ground capabilities, while the third stage will add advanced stealth features and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) systems. This MUM-T approach, increasingly adopted by next-generation supersonic fighter squadrons, involves a manned fighter coordinating with an AI-controlled unmanned aircraft for mission completion, with the unmanned aircraft providing critical support in emergencies.
Future Enhancements: Stealth, AI Integration, and 6th-Generation Goals
The final stage aims to enhance stealth capabilities and integrate AI into fighter piloting, targeting the development of a 6th-generation fighter. However, as we move into the 2030s, the 6th-generation fighter landscape is expected to be primarily shaped by advancements from the U.S., Europe, China, and Russia. Some experts argue that KAI must accelerate its 6th-generation fighter development to stay competitive.
The British-led Tempest program, involving Italy and Sweden, aims for operational deployment around 2035, while the ‘Future Combat Air System’ (FCAS) being developed by France, Germany, and Spain is targeted for deployment by 2040.
Meanwhile, the U.S., as the leading military power, has progressed to the testing phase of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. This initiative aims to validate performance metrics as other nations advance their 6th-generation fighters. Should the NGAD program succeed, it could potentially replace the current top stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor, with a new, cutting-edge platform.
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