KAI KF-21

[Ananda]

There are no similar diameter engine with GE414 that already can produce 22K lbs or 98kn. Whether EJ200 & M88 so far only in drawing board on the variance that can rival GE414 thurst. SAFRAN now seems going forward to that M88 T-Rex variance, but RR still needed someone else to provide sharing the bills.

That's why they lobby ROK, and my guess ROK will ask what's in it for me ? Will the engine be mine? Or joint ownership ? What if I want to export KF-21 to customers that UK does not like? Will it veto it (like German made other Eurojet partner frustrated in export)?

Hanwha has that program South Korea's Hanwha shows off prototype aircraft engine - Breaking Defense something that will provide ROK more independence on the export for KF-21. Will RR going to be Hanwha partner ? Tech suppliers but not ownership of the engine ?

I suspect RR want join ownership with Hanwha, but when I see this kind of JV, there are always problem on implementation of joint program. So this is still long way to go.

So far Safran that I can see become potential GE414 competitors for either KF-21, Gripen E/F, Tejas Mk1A or Mk2, as simply they don't need partners.

 

[Ananda]

UK tries to help South Korea avoid US veto on KF-21 export by replacing F414 engine with British one

UK tries to help South Korea avoid US veto on KF-21 export by replacing F414 engine with British one

armyrecognition.com

This is more clarity on the RR offer to Korea for KF-21 alternative engine. The aim quite ambitious, which is aim to rival GE-414 NG or Enhance Permormance parameter. GE aim for 117KN, and that's what they aiming for. So RR not aiming to work on enhance EJ200, but become tech partner for Korea New Engine program that Hanwha now working at.

This is similar to what SAFRAN also offering India for engine of Tejas Mk2. All Tejas Mk2, KF-21, Gripen E/F relies to GE414 as the only engine now that have power envelope and diameter and efficiency on its class.

This means only SAFRAN now that working on program to provide current GE414 competitor with their M88 T-Rex program.

 

[StingrayOZ]

Creating a bolt in 414 replacement would be attractive for several projects. Swedes, Koreans, might be interested, and the Turks might be interested, to support export customers having diversity options.

 

[Ananda]

Hanwha Aerospace inks 623.2 bln-won deal to supply engines for KF-21 fighter jets | Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Aerospace Co. said Thursday it has signed a 623.2 billio...

m-en.yna.co.kr

Hanwha Aero has signed additional contract of KRW 623.2 Bio and make total KRW 1.18 Trillion to provide 80 F414 engine (that they produce under license from GE). This means the first batch of 40 KF-21 contracts already in place for engines and airframes.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

And South-Korea is an important step further with the development of the KF-21.
South Korea's Hanwha Systems has manufactured the first active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the KF-21.
Hanwha Systems manufactures first AESA radar for KF-21 aircraft

 

[Ananda]

KAI Plans Internal Weapons Bay For KF-21EX | Aviation Week Network

KAI has revealed that a future variant of the KF-21 fighter will feature an internal weapons bay capable of housing a 2,000-lb. guided bomb.

aviationweek.com

KAI put information on KF-21 next phase of development call KF-21 EX. It's not expected to come out until end of next decade. Previously it is been talk that weapons bay development and full Gen 5 characteristics will be develop at Block 3.

She's the way I see it they are skipping the batch order, thus from current production model as Block 1, they move to next Batch call this KF-21EX. Indonesia agreement as junior partner only up to this current Blk 1, thus ROK either have to find new international partners or going alone.

 

[Ananda]

Few days ago, Deputy Defense Minister of UAE accompany by ROKAF chief conduct flight on KF-21. This shown considerable interest from UAE to join KF-21 program. Condidering UAE and Indonesia close relationship, perhaps this is also can be way out for Indonesia out of the program.

Have been talking for years in this thread how Indonesia already shown faltering interest in the program. Talking about lack of budget more and more shown Indonesia excuse to find way out. Especially when Indonesia bought 42 Rafale, potentialy add another batch up to 18 more and already signed agreement to procure 48 KAAN.

That 48 KAAN procurement agreement for me really raise question on Indonesia intention. I'm no defence proffesional, but as Financial market proffesional, I'm clearly don't see fiscal budget room to get 48 IF-21 after 60 Rafale and 48 KAAN.

All indication shown Indonesia preference over Turkiye compare to ROK as defence industry partner. Yes DI and KAI already signed further industrial cooperation agreement for KF/IF-21 project at Last Indodefence. However it is just don't see enough intention from Indonesia side to back it up with enough money trail.

Add:

It’s Not Just About the Jet: The Real Reason Indonesia Chose Turkey’s KAAN - Quwa

This sale of 48 KAAN fighters to Indoesnai is the latest and most significant example of Turkey's highly effective defense export strategy,

quwa.org

It might be from Quwa and thus not entirely meet reliabilities information. However I put it as the article underline one big factor, Accesibilities for overall tech that Turkiye offer. The drama of Indonesian (DI) engineer being hold up by ROK inteligence from what I heard really angered Prabowo. Not long after that he make serious approach to Sultan Erdo for involvement in KAAN.

Either way, despite all talks and negotiations between DI and KAI, and between Indonesia MinDef and ROK DAPA, no procurement agreement being signed. While in short time negotiation, Indonesia commit binding agreement on KAAN procurement. Shown how the difference now between Indonesia-Turkiye and Indonesia-ROK defence industrial relationship.

 

[Ananda]

South Korea moves to speed up KF-21 Block 2, maritime helicopter acquisitions South Korea moves to speed up KF-21 Block 2, maritime helicopter acquisitions

Blk 2 seems can be speed up as it will not required changes on airframes. More additional software adjustment from Air to Air focus Blk 1. This is not yet the EX (or Block 3?) Version that involve more stealth adjustment including internal weapons bay.

 

[Ananda]

Nice video on KF-21 aerial demo at ADEX 2025 at Seoul.

 

[Ananda]

Indonesia's renewed ties with Pyongyang stir worries over KF-21 technology leaks - The Korea Times

Indonesia's renewed diplomatic engagement with North Korea has raised concerns in Seoul over the possible breach of sensitive technology related to...

www.koreatimes.co.kr

Indonesia’s North Korea ties stoke worries in Seoul over jet tech leak

Critics say past payment delays and leak scandals in the KF-21 aircraft project have undermined Jakarta’s credibility.

www.scmp.com

There are some parties in ROK that want to stiring up sentiment (again) toward Indonesia participation in KF-21 program. This time using latest agreement Indonesia foreign minister sign with DPRK foreign minister recently.

What ever Foreign Minister Soegiono (Korea Times call him Retno Marsudi Soegiono, clearly combine name of Present and Previous Foreign Minister), it is more part of Geopolitics move under Prabowo administration. ROK DAPA denies any increase risk from Indonesia on tech leak.

However I guess the public sentiment in ROK against Indonesia partisipation increasingly already negative in some parts. Well when you see Indonesia continue delay and negotiate the RnD payment while commiting billions with Rafale and now potentialy with J-10, some in ROK public will question Indonesia seriousness anyway.

Still KAI and ROK DAPA need Indonesia as first customer. Thus they will lobby for the IF-21 production line in DI become effective and not being change as Rafale or even KAAN production lines.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

I don't see the point of the Indonesian government to pretend to still be interested in the KF-21.
We also don't have the budget to procure 42 Rafales, 48 KAAN, 48 KF-21 and now also 42 J-10s..... we also have to figure out to solve our chinese debt trap highspeed train payments.

 

[Ananda]

We also don't have the budget to procure 42 Rafales, 48 KAAN, 48 KF-21 and now also 42 J-10s..... we also have to figure out to solve our chinese debt trap highspeed train payments.

Perhaps J-10 and other Chinese procurement is part of negotiation on Chinese tech HST. The HST is low margin high investment projects everywhere. China Banks won't have much choices other then restructure. Some rumours talk just like with US, Indonesia now try to get Airplanes as part of negotiation.

Still this J-10 despite all the talks in media and online forums, it end up in one thing. It is affordable for the values being offered. It is relatively cheap options to fill Eastern Indonesia squadrons, as Rafale now set in Western Indonesia.

So KF-21 now also negotiate on how the value going to be spread on Tech Transfer to Indonesian Industry. It is being info the IF-21 facility in DI slowly being fill by equipment for composite parts and assembly facilities. The one that can wreck KF-21 and KAAN is F-15ID.

Media pundits local and International questions Indonesia potentially complicated logistics. However nothing new there, as now it is already Hawk 209/109, F-16 and Sukhoi 27/30. Those three are already in sunset trend as no further huge Investment being plan.

So KF/IF-21 now has to fight to against KAAN and F-15ID to be the third choices after Rafale and J-10. As I agree until present administration end, no way to finance all three together, no matter how many MoU or Contract being signed.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Perhaps J-10 and other Chinese procurement is part of negotiation on Chinese tech HST. The HST is low margin high investment projects everywhere. China Banks won't have much choices other then restructure. Some rumours talk just like with US, Indonesia now try to get Airplanes as part of negotiation.

Still this J-10 despite all the talks in media and online forums, it end up in one thing. It is affordable for the values being offered. It is relatively cheap options to fill Eastern Indonesia squadrons, as Rafale now set in Western Indonesia.

So KF-21 now also negotiate on how the value going to be spread on Tech Transfer to Indonesian Industry. It is being info the IF-21 facility in DI slowly being fill by equipment for composite parts and assembly facilities. The one that can wreck KF-21 and KAAN is F-15ID.

Media pundits local and International questions Indonesia potentially complicated logistics. However nothing new there, as now it is already Hawk 209/109, F-16 and Sukhoi 27/30. Those three are already in sunset trend as no further huge Investment being plan.

So KF/IF-21 now has to fight to against KAAN and F-15ID to be the third choices after Rafale and J-10. As I agree until present administration end, no way to finance all three together, no matter how many MoU or Contract being signed.

If the Hawk Mk.53/109/209 is simply replaced by the T-50/TA-50 (and no M346 please), and the F-16 and Su-27/-30 replaced by the Rafale and J-10B, then an additional type of aircraft (KF-21 or KAAN) is more or less acceptable.
But an airforce with 9 different kind of jet trainers/fighters with the reason of diversification/interim is still just intense stupid.