Kimchi 5th Gen Fighter ready for action, cheaper n faster n better than Beekok F35

[k1976]

South Korea Modernized KF-21 Fighter Jet to Fifth Generation Level​

#Asia
#Aviation
#Fighter jet
#South Korea
#World

Vladyslav Khomenko​

September 16, 2025
20:21
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The KF-21 fighter jet. Photo from open sources.
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South Korea is in the active phase of development of the KF-21 combat aircraft, which is gradually becoming a full-fledged fifth-generation fighter jet.

In 2025, for the first time, $62.2 million will be allocated for the development of a turbojet engine for the KF-21. A total of $455.8 million is planned to be invested in the development of infrastructure, production facilities and control systems.

The KF-21 has the potential to surpass the F-35 in certain characteristics, in particular in the integration of combat systems into the aircraft body.

KF-21 fighter jet. 2023. Photo credits: flickr.com
In 2025, the development of a domestic aviation missile with a budget of $36.5 million will also begin.

In 2026-2028, additional tests will continue, including the development of Block II and Block III modifications. It will include advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, stealth technologies, and integration of weapons into the aircraft body.

 

[k1976]

Indonesia, South Korea sign revised KF-21 development agreement​

“We will do our best to strengthen defense industry cooperation with Indonesia in various areas such as submarines, firepower, and air defense systems, and expand cooperation to the entire Southeast Asia region in the future,” DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun said in an announcement.

A model of KAI’s KF-21 fighter design on display at the 2023 LIMA conference in Malaysia. (Reuben Johnson/Breaking Defense)
MELBOURNE — South Korea and Indonesia have signed a restructured agreement on Indonesia’s participation in the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development program, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced today.

Both countries signed a revised “Project Agreement on Joint Development” for Indonesia’s continued participation in the KF-21 program, just days after the Southeast Asian country agreed to purchase the KAAN fighter jet from Turkey.

 

[k1976]

The new agreement includes revision to Indonesia’s share of payments for its involvement in the program, following years of failing to make payments in line with the original agreement it had made in 2016.

DAPA said that Indonesia’s defense ministry was “currently initiating administrative procedures to pay the remaining share for the joint development of the KF-21,” and added that defense industry cooperation between the two countries would gain momentum again if Indonesia kept up with its share of payments.

The agreement was signed at the Indo Defence expo that took place in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, and follows meetings between DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun and Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, as well as Indonesian Deputy Minister of Defense Donny Ermawan Taufanto.

 

[k1976]

Minister for Defence Reaffirms Commitment to Acquiring 20 F-35 Fighter Aircraft; Singapore’s First F-35 On Track for Delivery in End-2026​

12 September 2025

Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing visited Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas on 12 September (Singapore time), where Singapore’s F-35 fighter aircraft are being built.

Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing signed on the wing of Singapore’s first F-35 fighter aircraft — which is currently being built — at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin)

Mr Chan was briefed on the F-35 programme, its capabilities, and the production process during his visit. (Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin)

Mr Chan delivering his remarks after the wing signing ceremony. (Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin)
Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing visited Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas on 12 September (Singapore time).

At the facility, Mr Chan visited the Lockheed Martin production line where Singapore’s F-35 fighter aircraft are being built. Singapore’s first of 20 F-35 fighter aircraft is on track for delivery in end-2026. Speaking at the event, Mr Chan said, “This is not just a milestone, but one step in a long journey that we will take together with Lockheed Martin, our partners in the US Government, the US Air Force, and the community in Ebbing – because every one of us needs to come together in order for this capability to be realised… I want to express my deep appreciation to all of you for making this possible. Without your dedication and support, we will not be here.” Accompanied by Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Fan, Mr Chan was also briefed on the F-35 programme, its capabilities, and production process during the visit.

The F-35 acquisition is part of the Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces’ long-term strategy to build up the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s future fighter fleet, which will comprise a diversified fleet of F-35As, F-35Bs and F-15SGs to meet our operational requirements and maintain a strong fighter fleet to safeguard Singapore’s skies.

Mr Chan is in the US for his introductory visit from 9 to 13 September (Singapore time) and will be visiting the SAF personnel who are in Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, for Exercise Forging Sabre 2025.

 

[k1976]

Indonesia had previously committed to footing 20 percent, or approximately 1.7 trillion won, of the KF-21’s development costs when it signed onto the program in 2010, in exchange for receiving one of the prototype aircraft and technology transfer.

However, it has repeatedly failed to pay its instalments on time and by August 2020 it was said to be 500 billion won in arrears. It subsequently asked for its share of the program to be reduced to 7.5 percent in May 2024, whichSouth Korea agreed to in August.

It had also been reported that Indonesia sought to stretch its share of payments in installments out to 2034, although South Korea did not confirm it had committed to this timeline when it agreed to a reduced Indonesian share of the program.

Further controversy erupted when some of the Indonesian engineers sent to South Korea to study the KF-21 program were accused of attempting to steal KF-21 technical data. In July 2024, a senior KAI official said an internal review found no major problems but said the investigation was ongoing.

 

[k1976]

SG could have joint KF21?

 

[k1976]

 

[congo9]

Kimchi fighter can network together with air defence system or not ？
Got any network to the ground and to the heavens (early warning airplane + Satellite+ ground control)?

 

[congo9]

Indonesia had previously committed to footing 20 percent, or approximately 1.7 trillion won, of the KF-21’s development costs when it signed onto the program in 2010, in exchange for receiving one of the prototype aircraft and technology transfer.

However, it has repeatedly failed to pay its instalments on time and by August 2020 it was said to be 500 billion won in arrears. It subsequently asked for its share of the program to be reduced to 7.5 percent in May 2024, whichSouth Korea agreed to in August.

It had also been reported that Indonesia sought to stretch its share of payments in installments out to 2034, although South Korea did not confirm it had committed to this timeline when it agreed to a reduced Indonesian share of the program.

Further controversy erupted when some of the Indonesian engineers sent to South Korea to study the KF-21 program were accused of attempting to steal KF-21 technical data. In July 2024, a senior KAI official said an internal review found no major problems but said the investigation was ongoing.

Like that how is the China air defence system ?
Can they make it or not ? It make Chinese look bad with their J-Series fighter.

 

[creampie]

How can that be a 5th gen when the weapons are mounted externally?