As allies of Australia. The new Korean aircraft KF-21
is an important consideration, as it will likely be part of allied
integration programs in the region. For the past number of decades,
the South Korean military has attempted to increase its ability
to produce equipment domestically. Just as with its neighbor, Japan, South
Korea has a promising aerospace industry. Yet for a variety of reasons,
still primarily relies on other Western nations
to provide aircraft and armament. However, in recent decades,
Korea has made several moves to produce its own aircraft. Beginning in 1992, Korea Aerospace Industries
began development on what would become known
as the T-50, a supersonic jet trainer, which could double as a combat aircraft
if necessary. This aircraft, a fleet of which
now exist, served as a proof of concept for what would become known
as the Boramae (or Hawk), a new project seeking to develop
a replacement for the aging fleet of F-4 Phantoms
and F-5 Tiger still in service. First announced in 2001, the project was initially met with some
skepticism, which was understandable. Korea was setting out
with only one training jet under their belt to not only produce
a fighter from scratch, but one that could rival the best
American, Russian and European designs, all of which have long histories
designing and perfecting aircraft. It would also cost more per unit
than purchasing foreign aircraft due to the added cost of building
the production line. For many years, the project was unable
to garner serious interest. However, in 2010, this would change. Increasing pressure from North Korea led to a renewed national interest
in the project. Indonesia would jump on board,
promising to handle 20% of the funding. An interest was also shown by Turkey. Other investors
would fund a further 20% cent. The remaining 60% of the cost
would be paid for by the South Korean government, who are now convinced
of a desirable outcome. Winning the bid would be the tried
and tested Korea Aerospace Industries who chose to partner with Lockheed Martin
for support. Thus, the project got underway. Three initial proposals were developed
and submitted. The first, codenamed C103 resembled an F-35, whilst the second C203 resembled a European Delta
wing design with forward canards. The third design C503 would be a single
engine low cost fighter. The Air Force chose the first, C103, noting that two engines
would be preferable over lower costs. In 2015,
development of this concept began, and over the next two years, wind tunnel testing would be used
to improve the initial proposal. This resulted in a further four variations on the initial C103 design,
each with varying capabilities. C104 C105 C107 and C109. Of them, design C105 (now named KF-X) would be chosen as the design to carry forward. According to Korean sources, C105 lacked an internal weapons bay. It was the smallest of the designs,
and initially it had only one engine At the end of the day, it appears that the desired elements
of the other designs were integrated into the C105. Nearly 11 years after the start of the program, on July 12th, 2021, the first prototype
was ready named KF-21. The aircraft attracted
international attention, notably Poland, Peru and the Philippines
all expressed interest in the aircraft. Following this, work began on a further eight aircraft
two ground test units, two twin seat flight units, and four single seat
flight units In July 2022, the first of these single seat
flying units made its maiden flight. This would be followed up in November 2022,
by a second aircraft and in January 2023, by a third, which would also complete
the first supersonic flight. In February 2023,
the first two seater aircraft would take flight. According to Korea Aerospace Industries, the current plan is to equip the Air Force
with a fleet of 40 KF-21s by 2028,
have a full fleet of 120 by the year 2032. These will be the initial ‘Block-1’
configuration limited to air-to-air capabilities. Once this first phase is completed,
the plan is to then begin a ‘Block-2’ program, which will roll out
full air-to-ground capabilities. Why this unusual decision to launch
without multi-role capabilities is unclear.
If a guess had to be made, it is possible that the aim
is to push the aircraft into service as quickly as possible while dealing
with the more time consuming technology in a second phase. It has also been noted by the designers
that if Korea ever acquires aircraft carriers, a modified carrier version
of the aircraft designated KF-21N could be produced within just a few short years. Indonesia, who has also been a partner
in this venture, may purchase a further
50 of these aircraft for her own fleet. The future multi-role nature of the aircraft has been highlighted
since the initial flight tests. Ordnance will include such ground weapons
as GBU-12 Paveway 2s, various JDAMs, and CBU-105s (a modified version
of the American CBU97 cluster bomb) to name a few. Possible air-to-ground missiles include the anti-ship AGM-84
and the AGM-65 Maverick. In terms of air-to-air weaponry,
the aircraft should be capable of carrying standard American weapons, namely
the AIM-120 AMRAAM for BVR, and the AIM-9X for close range, along with plans to integrate the ASRAAM,
a supposed sidewinder replacement. However, the loadout of choice
for the aircraft appears to be a combination of the Meteor
active radar missile for long range and the IRIS-T infrared for close range MBDA, (the European company behind the Meteor)
announced that they had been working with Korea Aerospace Industries to integrate
the missile into the KF-21 platform. This choice is rather interesting, as for many years, the tried and tested
AMRAAM was considered the most reliable, active radar
missile available. However, since its initial testing,
the Meteor possibly outperforms the American design. South Korea
also plans to integrate its fleet with air-launched cruise missiles or ALCMs. This was confirmed by South Korea's
Defence Acquisitions Program Administration (DAPA) With the system development phase
coming into effect on December 12, 2023 and a slated completion date of 2028. These designs, named Sky
Dragon have already been test launched from Korean F-4Es
and it has been insinuated that such a missile
would have a range of 500 kilometers. The South Koreans are not only focused
on close air support, but also precision strike capability. Given the 500 kilometer range of the most
important North Korean infrastructure from the South northern border. North Korea lacks a modernized air force, but it does have one of the largest
standing armies in the world with heavily fortified command and control
infrastructure. A 500 kilometer range ALCM could be launched from an aircraft
without encroaching North Korean airspace. Although we don't know the details, it is likely that the ALCM program
will have bunker busting capability. This is implicit
when suggestions have been made that the ALCM may replace the existing
KEPD 350K cruise missiles, a system set to be able
to penetrate up to 20 feet of concrete. These programs fall under Korea's
‘three-axis operational plan’ which seeks to prevent
any nuclear threat from the North. This includes surprise
first strikes on nuclear weapons positions, followed by the interception
of any cruise missiles. The third axis known as ‘overwhelming
response’, would serve as a retaliatory strike campaign
if the North made the first move, with primary targets being command
and control structures and launch sites. The KF-21 and cruise missile program are integral to the development of this plan. So, what about the performance and
real world capabilities of the aircraft? These are early days, anything is possible,
although some inferences can be made. Firstly, it has been suggested that
the priority of the KF-21 is not stealth, as with the F-35 and F-22,
but rather a balance between reduced radar cross-section
and maximum weapons payload. This has been made obvious in the choice
to mount weapons externally rather than internally, as in other 5th
gen stealth aircraft. With four hard points
on the fuselage and six on the wings, this could suggest a similar radar
cross-section to the Typhoon. In fact, during development,
one of the project's goals was to produce an aircraft capable of outperforming
both the Dassault Rafale and the Typhoon. And the aircraft has been referred
to as a 4.5 gen, not fifth gen design. One of the more popular commentaries, and one which appears to be in line
with the goals of the South Korean Air Force, is that the KF-21 will serve
as an intermediary between the stealthier F-35
and the cheaper F-16. Sitting in the middle, the KF-21 could carry more weaponry
than the F-35 with an internal load, but retain a smaller radar
image than the F-16. This could prove beneficial in joint missions in which the strengths of each aircraft are utilized: stealth from the F-35,
speed and dogfighting ability from the F-16,
and a steady middle ground from the KF-21. During production, it was stated
that the aircraft should outperform the F-16 in several areas,
namely 50% greater combat range, a better AESA, radar and datalink,
and a 30% longer lifespan. Powering the aircraft
is the General Electric F414, currently in use on the Super Hornet
and newer variants of the Jas 39 Gripen, the engine strikes a good middle ground powerful whilst also reducing fuel
burn rate and maintenance time. With the GE-400K variants of this power plant, current information suggests
that the KF-21 will be able to reach 1200 knots or Mach 1.8 with a combat range of up to 1000km. This is substantially better than the F-16
500 kilometer combat range. This is likely due to the nearly 14,000lb of internal fuel in the KF-21, compared to the 7,000lb internal capacity on a clean F-16. In terms of armament, the KF-21 can carry
7700 kilograms of stores. This happens to be the exact amount
that the F-16 is rated to carry. The aircraft also comes equipped
with an electronic warfare suite, which will be further enhanced
in the two seater version, along with AESA radar, infrared search and track,
and an electro-optical targeting system. So, what will the aircraft
be competing against on the global stage? The KF-21 is just one of an increasing
number of fifth generation fighter designs to be unveiled
in recent years. Within the region Japan and China both have similar fifth gen aircraft. The specifics of which remain under wraps. The most internationally
prominent of these is the Chengdu J-20, a Chinese design
which entered service in 2017, but largely remains a mystery
in terms of its capabilities. This was followed by the Shenang FC-31, an aircraft appearing to draw inspiration
from fifth gen Lockheed Martin designs. The FC-31 first flew in 2012
and remains a prototype design, although it will likely enter service
with the People's Liberation Army Navy as a carrier based aircraft. Of the two Chinese aircraft,
it is likely that the FC-31 will prove a bigger threat, as the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is known to develop
particularly good aircraft. Notably the J-16, which has been claimed by multiple sources to be superior
to any Sukhoi derivative in development. Similar to the FC-31 is Mitsubishi's X-2 designed in Japan. This prototype design, again
appearing to be inspired by Lockheed's fifth gen aircraft, currently exists
as the foundation for a sixth generation fighter aircraft codenamed Mitsubishi F-X. As with the FC-31, it would be naive to suggest that
the Japanese F-X program is a paper tiger. Mitsubishi has earned a reputation
for producing aircraft with reliable consistency from the
A6M Zero in World War II, to the F-2. The F-2, derived from the F-16 Viper, supposedly outperforms the original design
in multiple areas. Beyond Asia, other notable fifth gen designs
include the Indian HAL AMCA, the Turkish TAI TF Kaan,
and the Russian Sukhoi 75 Checkmate. The Indian HAL AMCA is likely
the most comparable to the KF-21. With plans to outfit
the aircraft with similar weapons, the AMCA will also likely fly on the same
General Electric F414 engines. Given India's geopolitical position,
this aircraft would need to be capable of integrating
with both Western and Russian aircraft. The Turkish design, the TAI TF Kaan, was first displayed on March 16th, 2023,
although it has not yet taken to the sky and nothing can be confirmed
about the aircraft or its capabilities. However, what appears
to set the Turkish design apart from its contemporaries, perhaps due to
overconfidence, is its rollout plan. As of 2023, the Turkish Air Force holds
that its F-16 fleet will be retired and replaced by the new aircraft,
perhaps beginning as early as 2028. Given Turkey's proximity to active combat
zones, this claimed adoption plan does suggest a particularly high
level of confidence in the design, especially given
the exceptional combat record of the F-16. The final design is Sukhoi Checkmate
or Su-75. As with the SU-57, little information is released to the public about specifics
or progress in development. This could very well be a capable aircraft
with no need for international publicity given the tension between East and West as of late, this design, as with the SU-57, will likely be kept out of the spotlight and away from Airshows
especially so if cutting edge. What appears to be common among
all these fifth gen designs is a focus, or at least an outward appearance of focus,
on minimized radar visibility over maximize performance. Thus far, the KF-21 looks promising as a native design for the South Koreans,
even though they are launching the aircraft
without full multi-role capabilities. For a smaller country, this still marks
the beginning of an aerospace industry capable of competing
at the highest international level. The development of this aircraft serves
as a lesson that small nations, not the least of which being Australia, can and should produce original aircraft
domestically. During the Second World War
under threat of Japanese invasion. Australia did indeed prove itself
capable of developing its own aircraft. The current turbulent
geopolitical environment should prompt policymakers
towards sustainable domestic capabilities in terms of aircraft
and ordnance production. It is easy to imagine
the Australian continent isolated from allied supply lines. It has the resources to produce
great original military equipment, which would help secure the nation,
bolster Australian industries and open many more employment
opportunities. One can only hope
that the South Korean KF-21 program might inspire Canberra along these lines.
