The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea has signed a contract worth $1.4 billion with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the production of 20 domestically developed KF-21 aircraft.
On June 25, KAI, which developed the aircraft, Hanwha Systems, which is responsible for the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and Hanwha Aerospace, the engine manufacturer, signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the initial mass production of the KF-21.
Yonhap News Agency writes that the contract includes subsequent logistical support for the aircraft as well as training. KAI stated that the signing of the agreement marks the “beginning of full-scale production” of the KF-21 fighters. There are currently six prototypes of the aircraft, which was developed in collaboration with Indonesia.
The KF-21 development project was initiated in 2015 to replace the long-serving F-4 and F-5 fighters of the Air Force. The system development is expected to be completed by 2026, with mass production deliveries beginning at the end of 2026 to be deployed to the Korean Air Force.
Currently, 80% of the KF-21 development has been completed, and its performance and stability have been demonstrated through initial test evaluations.
Since the beginning of this year, detailed plans have been made to prepare for mass production, including checking the parts supply chain of partner companies, establishing production facilities, and securing jigs and tools.
The development of the KF-21 involves over 600 domestic partner companies, with a target of 65% localization.
Hanwha Aerospace’s 556.2 billion KRW (about USD 400 Million) contract period runs from June 2024 to December 2027. Hanwha Aerospace will supply around 40 F414 engines for the KF-21, along with spare modules, and provide subsequent logistical support such as engine maintenance manuals and on-site technical support.
The engines to be supplied under this contract will be installed in the first batch of the KF-21 initial mass production. Hanwha Aerospace will continue to supply engines until the completion of the KF-21 mass production.
Hanwha Systems AESA radar contract is worth approximately 110 billion KRW (about USD 79 million), and the radar will be installed in the KF-21 from the end of August next year.
The KF-21 AESA radar mass production project will be promoted in phases, starting with initial mass production and followed by subsequent mass production. Under this contract, Hanwha Systems plans to stably supply AESA radars, starting with the initial mass production of 20 units and continuing through subsequent mass production.
