First India, now Japan: Another UK F-35B fighter jet makes emergency landing at Kagoshima airport
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News18
11 hours ago
- News18
At Mach 1.8, South Korea's KF-21 Has Left American F-35s In The Dust
Last Updated: The KF-21 has 10 hardpoints carrying up to 7,700 kg of weapons, including AIM-120 AMRAAM, Meteor, IRIS-T missiles, JDAM bombs, anti-ship missiles and a 20mm cannon The US has long promoted its advanced F-35 fighter jet to allied nations, including India, but New Delhi has consistently shown little interest in acquiring the costly aircraft. Meanwhile, in a strategic move to counter American dominance in the defense sector, South Korea, partnering with Indonesia, has developed the 4.5-generation KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. Positioned as a competitor to France's Rafale, which is already a key asset in the Indian Air Force, this new aircraft marks a significant shift in the regional aerospace landscape. First Test Flight In 2022 The KF-21 Boramae is being hailed as a significant step by South Korea towards altering the military balance in Asia. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) developed the jet in partnership with Indonesia. The KF-21 Boramae is a modern 4.5 generation multi-role fighter jet designed to reduce dependence on American aircraft and bolster the domestic defence industry. The first test flight of the KF-21 took place on July 19, 2022. Capabilities And Specifications The KF-21 can establish air supremacy and accurately target ground and sea targets. The aircraft is 16.9 metres long, has a wingspan of 11.2 metres, and is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400K turbofan engines, allowing it to reach a top speed of 2,200 km/h (Mach 1.81). Its range is approximately 2,900 km, with a combat radius of around 1,100 km. Stealth And Weaponry The KF-21 features 10 hardpoints, capable of carrying a payload of up to 7,700 kg. It can be equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, Meteor, and IRIS-T, as well as JDAM and Mk series bombs and anti-ship missiles. The aircraft also has a 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon. Future upgrades will include an internal weapon bay and enhanced stealth features. While not entirely 'invisible' like the F-35, its design and materials significantly reduce radar detection. Projected Production Timeline The KF-21 incorporates South Korea's indigenous AESA radar, a high-tech glass cockpit, and a modern data link system. The total project cost is estimated at $7.9 billion, with each aircraft priced between $65 and $70 million. South Korea plans to induct 120 KF-21s into its air force by 2032, with around 50 aircraft to be built for Indonesia. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 10:50 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Ford rejigs EV plans after suffering billions in losses
Just four years ago, Ford Motor seemed poised to give Tesla a real run for its money in electric vehicles. In 2021, the company introduced a stylish electric sport utility vehicle, the Mustang Mach-E, and quickly followed it a year later with a battery-powered version of its bestselling pickup, the F-150, and an electric van. The three new models gave Ford a jump on other established automakers like General Motors. But then the growth of electric car sales slowed and Tesla started slashing car prices. At the same time, higher material costs made it harder for established carmakers to make money on electric vehicles. Over the last 2 1/2 years, Ford's electric vehicle division has lost $12 billion, including $2.2 billion in the first half of this year. This year, sales of its electric models have stalled, falling 12% in the first six months. Now, Ford has come up with a new plan. On Monday, the automaker said that it has developed new, lower-cost electric vehicle components that will allow it to sell more affordable cars. The first will be a medium-sized, four-door pickup truck that can seat five, have a front trunk in addition to its bed and have a starting price of $30,000, Ford said. That truck is expected to arrive in showrooms in 2027, while a new large electric pickup will be delayed by a year to 2028. The company also said it has developed a new manufacturing process that should also lower costs while improving quality. "We tore up the moving assembly line that you see here today and we came up with a brand-new concept," Ford's chief executive, Jim Farley, said Monday at a company factory in Louisville, Kentucky. "This is the most radical redesign of how we manufacture cars since the Model T." Ford, GM and other automakers are facing a serious competitive threat from Chinese companies like BYD that now sell far more electric vehicles than Western manufacturers, often producing them at a fraction of European and American costs. Profits from Ford's main business of selling internal-combustion trucks and SUVs have slumped in recent quarters. In the first half of this year, Ford's division that makes gasoline cars and trucks for individual buyers made $757 million, down from $2.1 billion in the same period in 2024.
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First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
After $12 billion in losses, Ford shifts electric vehicle strategy
Ford had appeared to gain an edge over other traditional automakers when it launched three models between 2021 and 2022. But slowing EV demand, aggressive price cuts by Tesla and higher material costs have squeezed profits across the industry read more Ford Motor Co., once seen as a serious challenger to Tesla in the electric vehicle market, is overhauling its EV strategy after steep losses and slowing sales. The automaker said Monday (August 11) it has developed new, lower-cost electric vehicle components that will underpin more affordable models. The first will be a medium-size, four-door electric pickup set to debut in 2027. A planned large electric pickup will be delayed a year to 2028. Ford also announced a new manufacturing process aimed at cutting costs and improving quality, New York Times reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'To be fully competitive, we felt we needed to start with a clean sheet,' said Jim Baumbick, Ford's vice president of advanced product development. The changes come after Ford's electric vehicle unit lost $12 billion over the past two and a half years, including $2.2 billion in the first half of 2025. Sales of its electric models, the Mustang Mach-E SUV, the F-150 Lightning pickup and an electric van, fell 12 per cent in the first six months of the year. Ford had appeared to gain an edge over other traditional automakers when it launched those three models between 2021 and 2022. But slowing EV demand, aggressive price cuts by Tesla and higher material costs have squeezed profits across the industry. Turning the EV business around is a priority for CEO Jim Farley, who took over in 2020 pledging growth and profitability. Ford's European operations and China joint ventures have improved under his leadership, and the company has exited unprofitable markets such as India. Still, the automaker continues to face challenges, including the money-losing EV division and billions spent in recent years on recalls and repairs for gasoline-powered vehicles.
