Seoul, August 6 - South Korea’s aerospace ambitions are soaring with the development of the KF-21EX, an advanced variant of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, designed to bridge the gap between fourth-generation aircraft and the cutting-edge capabilities of fifth-generation stealth fighters like the U.S. F-35 Lightning II. Led by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in collaboration with the South Korean government and international partners like Indonesia, the KF-21EX aims to elevate the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to new heights by incorporating advanced stealth features, artificial intelligence (AI), and an internal weapons bay, positioning it as a formidable multirole platform in modern air combat.
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The KF-21 Boramae, unveiled in 2021, is a 4.5-generation fighter with a sleek, angular design inspired by stealth aircraft like the F-35, featuring canted twin tails and a blended wing-fuselage to reduce radar cross-section (RCS). However, its initial iterations lack the internal weapons bay and radar-absorbent materials (RAM) that define true fifth-generation fighters. The KF-21EX addresses these limitations, aiming for 5.5-generation status with significant upgrades. A key enhancement is the integration of an internal weapons bay, capable of housing munitions like the GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and MBDA Meteor air-to-air missiles. This internal carriage minimizes the aircraft’s RCS, aligning its stealth profile closer to that of the F-35, which relies on internal bays to maintain low observability. Additional stealth-focused modifications include a reprofiled canopy, low-RCS radome, and conformal antennas, all designed to enhance survivability against advanced radar threats.
Beyond stealth, the KF-21EX incorporates cutting-edge avionics and AI-enabled systems to rival the F-35’s sensor fusion and situational awareness. An upgraded electronic warfare suite, Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), and an AI-driven mission computer enhance the jet’s ability to process vast amounts of sensor data, enabling real-time decision-making in complex combat environments. The KF-21EX is also designed for manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), serving as a command platform for autonomous drones acting as jammers or decoys, a capability that mirrors the F-35’s role in networked warfare. The aircraft’s Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, developed domestically by Hanwha Systems, offers superior target tracking and supports network-centric operations, further closing the technological gap with its American counterpart.
Powering the KF-21EX are two General Electric F414 engines, with plans for a domestically developed engine to reduce reliance on foreign technology. This propulsion system enables a top speed of Mach 1.8 and a payload capacity of up to 17,000 pounds, though the internal bay limits the number of munitions compared to external hardpoints. The jet’s design emphasizes cost-effectiveness, with an estimated unit cost of $65 million, significantly lower than the F-35’s $110 million, making it an attractive option for nations seeking advanced capabilities without prohibitive costs. The KF-21EX program reflects South Korea’s strategic push for aerospace autonomy and global market competitiveness. With production milestones advancing—40 units by 2028 and 120 by 2032—the KF-21EX is poised to complement the ROKAF’s F-35A fleet, replacing aging F-4 and F-5 aircraft. International interest from countries like Poland and the UAE underscores its export potential. By integrating stealth, AI, and internal weapons carriage, the KF-21EX not only challenges the F-35’s dominance but also positions South Korea as a rising powerhouse in global defense innovation, ready to redefine air combat dynamics by the late 2030s.