Latest news with #KoreanAerospaceIndustries
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Philippines signs deal for 12 fighter jets: South Korea manufacturer
Philippine and South Korean FA-50 fighter jets. - Photo: Korean Aerospace Industries MANILA: The Philippines has signed a contract for 12 more FA-50 fighter jets, its South Korean manufacturer said Wednesday (June 4), three months after one of the planes crashed during a mission against communist rebels. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) valued the deal with the Department of National Defense at US$700 million, with delivery of the jets to be completed by 2030. The Philippines, which has yet to confirm the pact, previously purchased a dozen of the light warplanes in 2014. In a statement, the South Korean firm said the fighter jets would feature enhanced capabilities including "aerial refueling for extended range, (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems". One of the Philippines' original fleet of FA-50s went missing on March 4 while on a mission to provide air support for troops fighting guerrillas in a mountainous area of the southern island of Mindanao. Rescuers found the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of two crewmen a day later. After temporarily grounding the fleet, the Philippine Air Force ruled out any mechanical problems with the aircraft. Air Force spokeswoman Maria Consuelo Castillo told a press conference in April that a confluence of factors had contributed to the crash, including mountainous terrain and visibility issues. Castillo said in March that the purchase of additional FA-50s was under consideration by the defence department. - AFP
Korea Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
KAI signs W975b deal to supply additional FA-50 fighter jets to Philippines
Korean Aerospace Industries, the nation's sole aircraft maker, said Wednesday that it has signed a 975.3 billion won ($711 million) contract with the Philippine Department of National Defense to export 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft. With this agreement, the total number of FA-50 jets delivered to the Philippines will rise to 24. The deal includes not only the aircraft but also follow-on logistics support, with deliveries scheduled for completion by 2030. The upgraded FA-50PH models will feature extended range through aerial refueling capability, advanced radar systems, and enhanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. These improvements are expected to significantly boost the Philippine Air Force's operational capability and modernization efforts. The Philippine Air Force has been operating the FA-50PH since 2017, following an earlier deal signed in 2014. The aircraft played a key role during the Battle of Marawi and demonstrated excellent performance during the multinational 'Pitch Black 2024' exercise in Australia, achieving 100 percent availability with KAI's maintenance support. This deal follows KAI's successful export of 18 FA-50 units to Malaysia in 2023 and is expected to strengthen its foothold in Southeast Asia. Interest in the aircraft is also growing in Europe, the Middle East and South America. 'This additional order reflects a decade of stable operations and trust,' said KAI CEO Kang Goo-young. 'We will continue expanding our global presence with customized upgrades and sustained support.'
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2 new stealth fighter jets will expand who's in the world's top air forces
Twelve countries operate one of the four models that can claim status as 5th-generation fighters. Those elite ranks are set to grow with two new entrants: Turkey's Kaan and South Korea's KF-21. The monopoly held by the world's superpowers on 5th-gen aircraft is likely nearing its end. Ever since the introduction of the F-22 Raptor in 2005, 5th-generation fighters have been the undisputed kings of the skies. These state-of-the-art fighter jets have characteristics like high maneuverability, advanced electronics, the ability to supercruise, and, most importantly, low observability to enemy radar detection. They are both feared and vaunted, and are at the top of the wish lists of the world's best air forces. To date, twelve countries operate one of the four models that can claim 5th-gen status; the American F-22 and F-35 built by Lockheed Martin, China's J-20, and Russia's Su-57. That club could grow to twenty by 2030. But it's not just the number of 5th-gen fighter operators that's set to grow. The even more exclusive club of 5th-gen fighter producers may get two new members by the 2030s: South Korea and Turkey. While not traditionally global military powers, both countries are increasingly seen as rising powerhouses in the global defense industry and have been hard at work for over a decade on their own advanced fighter designs. Developed by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and officially unveiled on April 9, 2021, the KF-21 is South Korea's first domestically-made fighter jet, which officials aim to upgrade to a stealth fighter. Also called the Boramae or 'fighting hawk' in Korean, the KF-21's origins stem as far back as 2001, when then-South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung declared his country's intent to replace South Korea's aging F-4 Phantom fighter-bombers and F-5 light fighters with a domestically made fighter. The first prototype was rolled out and unveiled at KAI headquarters in 2021. On July 19, 2022, it made its maiden flight, and on January 17, 2023, it reached supersonic speeds for the first time. The KF-21 program has since conducted over 1,000 sorties across six prototypes, including weapons separation tests and an air-to-air refueling exercise. Two of the prototypes feature a tandem seat arrangement. The KF-21's specifications are just as impressive as its development speed. The jet can reach a speed of Mach 1.8 (or 1,400 miles per hour), has a ceiling of 50,000 feet, and can carry 17,000 pounds of ordnance. The KF-21 also has an advanced suite of avionics and other electronics, like an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar; a cutting-edge system that uses thousands of tiny antennas to rapidly scan, track, and target multiple objects simultaneously. The two-seater variant is expected to be capable of teaming with South Korea's Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System (LOWUS), a collaborative combat aircraft under development. Despite its impressive capabilities, the KF-21 is not a 5th-gen fighter, as it does not have the same stealth capabilities as its American, Chinese, and Russian counterparts. While the jet does feature an angular design to reduce its radar cross section, it lacks radar-absorbent materials (RAM) across its entire body and does not have internal weapons bays, instead relying on ten external hardpoints. Consequently, KAI and analysts often refer to the KF-21 as a "4.5 generation" fighter — in other words, an advanced 4th-gen fighter with some 5th-gen characteristics. But that may not be the case for long. KAI has announced that it intends to upgrade a version of the KF-21 to a full stealth fighter. Dubbed the KF-21EX, these upgrades will include internal weapons bays, more advanced RAM coatings, conformal antennas (flat sensors embedded in the airframe's skin that replace protruding antennas), and possibly low-observable exhaust nozzles for engine exhaust and infrared signature reduction. Internal weapons bays are important for a 5th-generation fighter because external weapons produce sizable radar returns. The KF-21EX may arrive by the late 2030s or early 2040s. South Korea's air force signed its first contract for 20 KF-21s last year, with deliveries expected between the end of 2026 and summer of 2027. A second order of 20 more is expected to come by the end of this year. The country hopes to acquire 120 of the jets by 2032. Turkey's entrant to the 5th-gen fighter club, the TAI TF Kaan, is claimed to be a fully fledged stealth fighter. Turkey had planned to replace its fleet of F-16s with a mix of high-end/low-end 5th-gen fighters since 2010, with the Kaan intended to form the low-end portion and around 100 F-35s bought from the US forming the high end. But Turkey's expulsion from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russian air defense systems forced the Turks to commit to developing the Kaan as a fully fledged 5th-gen fighter. In the summer of 2019, state-run Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) displayed a full-scale mockup at the Paris Air Show. Construction on the first parts finished in 2021, and in 2023, the jet was finally unveiled to the public and officially named the Kaan — Turkish for 'ruler.' A little more than a year later, the Kaan conducted its maiden flight, which was followed in 2024 by a second test flight. With a wingspan of 44 feet and a length of 66 feet, the Kaan is similar in size and appearance to the F-22. TAI officials have said that the Kaan can carry up to 20,000 pounds of ordnance, though it has been reported that it can only carry 1,000 pounds internally; Internal capacity is important for a 5th-generation fighter because external weapons produce sizable radar returns. It is also equipped with an AESA radar. That Turkey has the capability to build a 5th-gen fighter is not far-fetched. Formerly a Tier 3 partner of the F-35 program, Turkish companies provided some 900 components for the F-35, including the air inlet ducts, exterior panels for the airframe, weapons bay doors, and other structural components and assemblies. In fact, TAI was one of only two suppliers for the F-35's center fuselage — a critical structural core that connects the wings to the airframe and partially houses the jet's fuel tanks, weapon bays, and a portion of its avionics. The degree of the Kaan's stealth, however, is unknown, especially since it has several features that make it difficult to maintain low observability. The Kaan's two F110-GE-129 engines (the same General Electric jet engines on F-15s and F-16s), for instance, were never designed for stealth aircraft and lack features like specially designed exhaust systems and nozzles, which would reduce both high infrared signatures and radar reflections. More importantly, it is unknown if Turkey has radar-absorbent materials for the Kaan. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey has said that it is developing "Radar Absorbing Multilayered Thin Film Surface Coating" for the Kaan, and TAI and Turkish officials have said that the Kaan has advanced technologies that make it stealthy, but there have been no official statements on the status of the RAM's development or its quality, beyond general claims of stealth. Two more Kaan prototypes are under construction, with three more to be built before serial production begins. TAI expects to deliver the first of 20 Kaans to the Turkish Air Force by 2028 or 2029. The KF-21 and Kaan will almost certainly be flown by countries that previously had no real hope of obtaining stealth fighters. Fifth-generation fighters are hard to acquire due to their cost-prohibitive prices (often in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars per unit) and complex procurement processes. Their advanced tech make countries hesitant to share them, fearing secrets could reach hostile powers, with sales typically limited to very close allies capable of fulfilling stringent assurances. Cheaper fifth-generation fighters from producers with fewer geopolitical constraints and ambitions to expand influence through high-end arms sales could make acquisition more feasible. As a development partner in the KF-21 program, Indonesia is slated to acquire 48 of the 4.5-gen KF-21 variant, though issues with funding and data theft may change that. Other countries have reportedly either expressed interest or been courted by KAI, including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the UAE, Poland, and Peru — though these countries would likely opt for the 4.5-gen variant. The Kaan, meanwhile, has received a lot of interest. Close Turkish ally Azerbaijan became a partner of the Kaan program in 2023, which might make it the first foreign customer. In January, it was reported that Turkey and Pakistan may establish a joint factory for Kaan production, and that Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in acquiring 100 of the fighters. The UAE has also reportedly indicated interest in joining the program as well. Ukraine, meanwhile, has expressed interest in both purchasing the Kaan and competing for a future contract that would see it be involved in the production of its future engines. Even if the initial versions of the KF-21 and the Kaan do not prove to be as stealthy as their American, Chinese, or Russian counterparts, their development so far shows that the monopoly held by the world's superpowers on 5th-gen aircraft is likely approaching its end. Moreover, it may also serve as something of a warning that more countries — including ones not seen as global or even regional powers — may field their own undetectable aircraft in the near future. Benjamin Brimelow is a freelance journalist covering international military and defense issues. He holds a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in international security from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His work has appeared in Business Insider and the Modern War Institute at West Point. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
2 new stealth fighter jets will expand who's in the world's top air forces
Ever since the introduction of the F-22 Raptor in 2005, 5th-generation fighters have been the undisputed kings of the skies. These state-of-the-art fighter jets have characteristics like high maneuverability, advanced electronics, the ability to supercruise, and, most importantly, low observability to enemy radar detection. They are both feared and vaunted, and are at the top of the wish lists of the world's best air forces. To date, twelve countries operate one of the four models that can claim 5th-gen status; the American F-22 and F-35 built by Lockheed Martin, China's J-20, and Russia's Su-57. That club could grow to twenty by 2030. But it's not just the number of 5th-gen fighter operators that's set to grow. The even more exclusive club of 5th-gen fighter producers may get two new members by the 2030s: South Korea and Turkey. While not traditionally global military powers, both countries are increasingly seen as rising powerhouses in the global defense industry and have been hard at work for over a decade on their own advanced fighter designs. South Korea's 'fighting hawk' Developed by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and officially unveiled on April 9, 2021, the KF-21 is South Korea's first domestically-made fighter jet, which officials aim to upgrade to a stealth fighter. Also called the Boramae or 'fighting hawk' in Korean, the KF-21's origins stem as far back as 2001, when then-South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung declared his country's intent to replace South Korea's aging F-4 Phantom fighter-bombers and F-5 light fighters with a domestically made fighter. The first prototype was rolled out and unveiled at KAI headquarters in 2021. On July 19, 2022, it made its maiden flight, and on January 17, 2023, it reached supersonic speeds for the first time. The KF-21 program has since conducted over 1,000 sorties across six prototypes, including weapons separation tests and an air-to-air refueling exercise. Two of the prototypes feature a tandem seat arrangement. The KF-21's specifications are just as impressive as its development speed. The jet can reach a speed of Mach 1.8 (or 1,400 miles per hour), has a ceiling of 50,000 feet, and can carry 17,000 pounds of ordnance. The KF-21 also has an advanced suite of avionics and other electronics, like an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar; a cutting-edge system that uses thousands of tiny antennas to rapidly scan, track, and target multiple objects simultaneously. The two-seater variant is expected to be capable of teaming with South Korea's Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System (LOWUS), a collaborative combat aircraft under development. Despite its impressive capabilities, the KF-21 is not a 5th-gen fighter, as it does not have the same stealth capabilities as its American, Chinese, and Russian counterparts. While the jet does feature an angular design to reduce its radar cross section, it lacks radar-absorbent materials (RAM) across its entire body and does not have internal weapons bays, instead relying on ten external hardpoints. Consequently, KAI and analysts often refer to the KF-21 as a "4.5 generation" fighter — in other words, an advanced 4th-gen fighter with some 5th-gen characteristics. But that may not be the case for long. KAI has announced that it intends to upgrade a version of the KF-21 to a full stealth fighter. Dubbed the KF-21EX, these upgrades will include internal weapons bays, more advanced RAM coatings, conformal antennas (flat sensors embedded in the airframe's skin that replace protruding antennas), and possibly low-observable exhaust nozzles for engine exhaust and infrared signature reduction. Internal weapons bays are important for a 5th-generation fighter because external weapons produce sizable radar returns. The KF-21EX may arrive by the late 2030s or early 2040s. South Korea's air force signed its first contract for 20 KF-21s last year, with deliveries expected between the end of 2026 and summer of 2027. A second order of 20 more is expected to come by the end of this year. The country hopes to acquire 120 of the jets by 2032. Turkey's 'king of kings' Turkey's entrant to the 5th-gen fighter club, the TAI TF Kaan, is claimed to be a fully fledged stealth fighter. Turkey had planned to replace its fleet of F-16s with a mix of high-end/low-end 5th-gen fighters since 2010, with the Kaan intended to form the low-end portion and around 100 F-35s bought from the US forming the high end. But Turkey's expulsion from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russian air defense systems forced the Turks to commit to developing the Kaan as a fully fledged 5th-gen fighter. In the summer of 2019, state-run Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) displayed a full-scale mockup at the Paris Air Show. Construction on the first parts finished in 2021, and in 2023, the jet was finally unveiled to the public and officially named the Kaan — Turkish for 'ruler.' A little more than a year later, the Kaan conducted its maiden flight, which was followed in 2024 by a second test flight. With a wingspan of 44 feet and a length of 66 feet, the Kaan is similar in size and appearance to the F-22. TAI officials have said that the Kaan can carry up to 20,000 pounds of ordnance, though it has been reported that it can only carry 1,000 pounds internally; Internal capacity is important for a 5th-generation fighter because external weapons produce sizable radar returns. It is also equipped with an AESA radar. That Turkey has the capability to build a 5th-gen fighter is not far-fetched. Formerly a Tier 3 partner of the F-35 program, Turkish companies provided some 900 components for the F-35, including the air inlet ducts, exterior panels for the airframe, weapons bay doors, and other structural components and assemblies. In fact, TAI was one of only two suppliers for the F-35's center fuselage — a critical structural core that connects the wings to the airframe and partially houses the jet's fuel tanks, weapon bays, and a portion of its avionics. The degree of the Kaan's stealth, however, is unknown, especially since it has several features that make it difficult to maintain low observability. The Kaan's two F110-GE-129 engines (the same General Electric jet engines on F-15s and F-16s), for instance, were never designed for stealth aircraft and lack features like specially designed exhaust systems and nozzles, which would reduce both high infrared signatures and radar reflections. More importantly, it is unknown if Turkey has radar-absorbent materials for the Kaan. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey has said that it is developing "Radar Absorbing Multilayered Thin Film Surface Coating" for the Kaan, and TAI and Turkish officials have said that the Kaan has advanced technologies that make it stealthy, but there have been no official statements on the status of the RAM's development or its quality, beyond general claims of stealth. Two more Kaan prototypes are under construction, with three more to be built before serial production begins. TAI expects to deliver the first of 20 Kaans to the Turkish Air Force by 2028 or 2029. More producers, more customers The KF-21 and Kaan will almost certainly be flown by countries that previously had no real hope of obtaining stealth fighters. Fifth-generation fighters are hard to acquire due to their cost-prohibitive prices (often in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars per unit) and complex procurement processes. Their advanced tech make countries hesitant to share them, fearing secrets could reach hostile powers, with sales typically limited to very close allies capable of fulfilling stringent assurances. Cheaper fifth-generation fighters from producers with fewer geopolitical constraints and ambitions to expand influence through high-end arms sales could make acquisition more feasible. As a development partner in the KF-21 program, Indonesia is slated to acquire 48 of the 4.5-gen KF-21 variant, though issues with funding and data theft may change that. Other countries have reportedly either expressed interest or been courted by KAI, including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the UAE, Poland, and Peru — though these countries would likely opt for the 4.5-gen variant. The Kaan, meanwhile, has received a lot of interest. Close Turkish ally Azerbaijan became a partner of the Kaan program in 2023, which might make it the first foreign customer. In January, it was reported that Turkey and Pakistan may establish a joint factory for Kaan production, and that Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in acquiring 100 of the fighters. The UAE has also reportedly indicated interest in joining the program as well. Ukraine, meanwhile, has expressed interest in both purchasing the Kaan and competing for a future contract that would see it be involved in the production of its future engines. Even if the initial versions of the KF-21 and the Kaan do not prove to be as stealthy as their American, Chinese, or Russian counterparts, their development so far shows that the monopoly held by the world's superpowers on 5th-gen aircraft is likely approaching its end. Moreover, it may also serve as something of a warning that more countries — including ones not seen as global or even regional powers — may field their own undetectable aircraft in the near future. Benjamin Brimelow is a freelance journalist covering international military and defense issues. He holds a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in international security from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His work has appeared in Business Insider and the Modern War Institute at West Point.
Iraq Business
24-04-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq discusses buying Korean Defence Helicopters
By John Lee. Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed has discussed expanding cooperation with South Korea on air and mobile defense systems, including the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH-1), also known as 'Surion'. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the IQDEX 2025 International Defense Exhibition , held in Baghdad from 19th to 22nd of April. Korean companies attending the exhibition included Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), LIG Nex1, and Hyundai Rotem. Full statement from South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA): The Defense Business Administration participated in the 'IQDEX 2025 (International Defense Exhibition Iraq) held in Baghdad from April 19th to 22nd, and carried out activities to promote K-defense exports. IQDEX is one of the international defense exhibitions involving defense officials and global defense companies from major Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq. This year, Korean Aerospace Industries Co., Ltd., LIGnex One, Hyundai Rotem, and other domestic defense companies participated in the exhibition to actively promote the technology and reliability of K-Defense in the local area. In particular, institutions such as the Korean Embassy (Ambassador Choi Sung-soo) and the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) have also provided a full-scale support for the promotion of defense exports. The Defense Business Administration attended the exhibition with the head of the helicopter business (Army Brigadier General (Jin) Ko Hyung-seok), and during a high-level interview with the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, the Defense Business Administration discussed in-depth cooperation measures for the export of mobile and air defense weapons systems that Iraq is interested in, including the Korean mobile helicopter Surion (KUH). The Defense Business Administration met with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed and expressed its willingness to actively work to further develop the rapidly expanding defense cooperation between the two countries in recent years. In response, Defense Minister Tabet expressed his high confidence in the Korean defense sector and emphasized the need for bilateral cooperation to promote defense cooperation. The meeting is expected to be an important step towards a subsequent expansion of exports. Together with our defense companies, the Defense Business Administration has actively introduced the performance and operation experience of various weapons systems that Iraq shows interest in, such as manoeuvre and air defense weapons systems, and has tried to expand the scope of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen the foundation for K-Defense's entry into the Middle East market. The head of the Heliang Business Administration (Jin), said, "Through this participation in IQDEX 2025, we were able to further strengthen our defense cooperation with Iraq and actively promote the excellence of K-defense, including Surion and LAH, and continue to support the global market expansion of domestic defense companies through active support from the government level." The Defense Business Administration will continue to actively explore the possibility of defense cooperation with countries in the Middle East, including Iraq, and continue its efforts to improve the global competitiveness of K-Defense. (Source: Defense Acquisition Program Administration)
