Korea Aerospace Industries Sacheon headquarters view (photo = KAI)

 

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] On the 25th, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that it has signed a contract worth 1.96 trillion won with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to manufacture 20 KF-21 fighter jets and provide subsequent logistics support, including technical training.

KAI is currently in the final stages of development to ensure the KF-21 is ready for combat deployment. The company emphasized that the project is a collaborative achievement of a "one-team" effort, involving the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Air Force, DAPA, the Agency for Defense Development, academia, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The KF-21, a 4.5-generation fighter jet, is set to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of 3rd-generation fighters, the F-4 and F-5. Fourth-generation fighters are upgraded versions of 3rd-generation jets, equipped with precision-guided munitions. The 4.5-generation fighters like the KF-21 combine the hardware of 4th-generation jets with the software of 5th-generation aircraft. DAPA plans to contract an additional 20 KF-21 jets in the future.

The defense industry anticipates that the mass production of the KF-21 will mark a significant turning point, heralding a "second growth" phase for the domestic aerospace and defense sectors. Approximately 600 partner companies participated in the development of the KF-21. Given KAI's goal of achieving a 65% localization rate, the role of domestic defense component suppliers is expected to expand.

On the same day, Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with DAPA to supply KF-21 engines worth 556.2 billion won. Hanwha Systems also secured a 114.8 billion won contract to supply the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which serves as the "eyes" of the fighter jet. Hanwha Aerospace is focusing on internalizing advanced engine manufacturing technologies, leveraging its experience in producing the KF-21 engines.

 

 

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