What is the scale of determination of 4.5-generation aircraft?
The US government defines 4.5-generation aircraft as having advanced capabilities, including active electronically scanned array radar, high-capacity data links, advanced avionics and the ability to deploy current advanced weapons. Thus the 4.5 generation fighter is not up to the standards of fifth generation stealth fighters like the F-22 and F-35. The 4.5 generation fighters include the US F-15E/EX Strike Eagle, the Chinese Chengdu J-10C and Russia’s Sukhoi Su-35. South Korea wants to reduce dependence on America for its strategic needs. This is the reason why he has made indigenous fighter aircraft.
Indonesia also a participant in the KF-21 project
KF-21 is the flagship project of South Korea. Indonesia has assisted South Korea in this project. Indonesia has pledged to bear 20% of the cost of the US$7.6 billion project, according to the Yonhap news agency. Earlier, Indonesia had threatened to pull out of the project over payment terms. However, the Korea Herald reports that South Korea and Indonesia finalized the payment terms last November. Indonesia will pay this amount over the next five years until 2026, according to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
KF-21 fighter aircraft to launch cruise missiles
After the first flight of the KF-21, it will be equipped with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. It is even being claimed that this fighter aircraft will also be made capable of firing cruise missiles. Actually, cruise missiles are long in size and they are prone to destabilization of the aircraft during firing. Therefore, there are only selected countries in the world including India, which already have such technology.
Two engine aircraft will come in two variants
This two-engine fighter aircraft will be available in single and double seat variants. In this, double-seat aircraft will also be useful for training. President Moon Jae-in, while launching this aircraft, named it ‘Bormae’ or ‘Hawk’. He described the aircraft as a milestone in the development of the South Korean aviation industry. The aircraft will be manufactured at Korea Aerospace Industries’ production plant in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.
65% South Korean aircraft
The mass production of the KF-21 fighter aircraft will be started after the completion of ground and flight tests. In the first phase, it is planned to deploy 40 fighter jets by the year 2028, while it will be increased to 120 by 2032. He claimed that when full scale production of this aircraft starts, it will also create 100,000 additional jobs. This plane is 65 percent South Korean, the rest of the equipment will be assembled in the plane after importing it from different countries. Nevertheless, it is being described as a milestone for South Korea’s aviation industry.