The KF-21, a 4.5-generation fighter jet equipped with an integrated electronic warfare system, showcases the remarkable advancements in South Korea's defense technology.
According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on August 6, the development of the KF-21 Boramae, South Korea's first domestically produced fighter jet, was completed on July 29.
The KF-21 project began in August 2001, following a declaration by then-President Kim Dae-jung to develop a domestic advanced fighter jet. The project officially commenced system development in December 2015, with the first prototype taking flight in April 2021 and the first production model being delivered in March of this year.
In May, the KF-21 received a 'combat suitability' certification, overcoming numerous challenges. The first production model is expected to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force in September. South Korea has become the eighth country in the world to develop a domestically produced supersonic fighter jet of the 4.5 generation or higher.
The 'K-defense' sector is reducing reliance on foreign imports through domestic technological advancements. According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released in March, South Korea accounted for 1.8% of global arms imports from 2021 to 2025, ranking 16th overall. The United States made up the largest share of these imports at 93%, followed by the United Kingdom at 3.5% and Israel at 1.8%.
This marks a 54% decrease compared to the 4.2% share of total imports from 2016 to 2020.
Ukraine had the highest share of global arms imports from 2021 to 2025 at 9.7%, followed by India (8.2%), Saudi Arabia (6.8%), Qatar (6.4%), Pakistan (4.2%), Japan (3.9%), Poland (3.6%), the United States (2.9%), Kuwait (2.8%), and Australia (2.8%).
Concerns have been raised about a potential decline in U.S. arms imports, particularly following the failed final negotiations on the 'Special Operations Large Helicopter Project' between DAPA and Boeing. However, experts suggest that the situation remains at a normal level.
One indication of this is the ongoing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts between the U.S. and South Korea. On May 22, DAPA held the 175th Defense Acquisition Promotion Committee meeting, where it approved the decision on the 'Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SM-6) type selection.'
The SM-6 project aims to acquire U.S.-made SM-6 missiles for deployment on the King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II) through the FMS process. Known as the 'Patriot of the Sea,' the SM-6 has a range of over 400 kilometers and employs an active guidance system that allows it to track targets using its own radar, significantly enhancing the ship's ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. It is classified as an end-phase intercept missile with an interception altitude below 36 kilometers, capable of intercepting aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
Contracts between South Korean and U.S. companies remain consistent with previous years. The Korean Air-L3 Harris consortium was selected in October as the contractor for DAPA's 'Second Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Project.'
The primary contractor, U.S. defense firm L3 Harris, will collaborate with Korean Air and Israel's IAI ELTA to supply four AEW&C aircraft to the South Korean Air Force by 2032. Korean Air will purchase four Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft as the base platform and provide them to L3 Harris, while also handling the joint development of the first two aircraft and domestic modifications for the third and fourth.
Airborne early warning and control aircraft are considered key assets, equipped with high-performance radar to serve as 'flying radars and command centers.' They detect and analyze key targets across the country and command military operations in real-time from the air.
The paradigm of South Korea-U.S. defense cooperation is evolving. With significant improvements in South Korea's defense technology, collaboration is expanding beyond mere arms purchases from the U.S. to include joint development, production, and supply chain cooperation.
Jang Won-jun, a professor at Jeonbuk National University’s Advanced Defense Industry Department, stated, “We need to diversify cooperation between governments and companies in advanced technology areas where we are relatively lacking, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned systems. The negotiation of the Defense Mutual Procurement Agreement (RDP-A), a free trade agreement in the defense sector, should be expedited.”
Eom Hyo-sik, director of the Defense Security Forum's Defense Industry Security Office, advised, “When projects like the nuclear-powered submarine program or the South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation 'MASGA' project are fully underway, purchasing U.S. weapons could also become a strategic option.”
According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on August 6, the development of the KF-21 Boramae, South Korea's first domestically produced fighter jet, was completed on July 29.
The KF-21 project began in August 2001, following a declaration by then-President Kim Dae-jung to develop a domestic advanced fighter jet. The project officially commenced system development in December 2015, with the first prototype taking flight in April 2021 and the first production model being delivered in March of this year.
In May, the KF-21 received a 'combat suitability' certification, overcoming numerous challenges. The first production model is expected to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force in September. South Korea has become the eighth country in the world to develop a domestically produced supersonic fighter jet of the 4.5 generation or higher.
The 'K-defense' sector is reducing reliance on foreign imports through domestic technological advancements. According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released in March, South Korea accounted for 1.8% of global arms imports from 2021 to 2025, ranking 16th overall. The United States made up the largest share of these imports at 93%, followed by the United Kingdom at 3.5% and Israel at 1.8%.
This marks a 54% decrease compared to the 4.2% share of total imports from 2016 to 2020.
Ukraine had the highest share of global arms imports from 2021 to 2025 at 9.7%, followed by India (8.2%), Saudi Arabia (6.8%), Qatar (6.4%), Pakistan (4.2%), Japan (3.9%), Poland (3.6%), the United States (2.9%), Kuwait (2.8%), and Australia (2.8%).
Concerns have been raised about a potential decline in U.S. arms imports, particularly following the failed final negotiations on the 'Special Operations Large Helicopter Project' between DAPA and Boeing. However, experts suggest that the situation remains at a normal level.
One indication of this is the ongoing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts between the U.S. and South Korea. On May 22, DAPA held the 175th Defense Acquisition Promotion Committee meeting, where it approved the decision on the 'Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SM-6) type selection.'
The SM-6 project aims to acquire U.S.-made SM-6 missiles for deployment on the King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II) through the FMS process. Known as the 'Patriot of the Sea,' the SM-6 has a range of over 400 kilometers and employs an active guidance system that allows it to track targets using its own radar, significantly enhancing the ship's ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. It is classified as an end-phase intercept missile with an interception altitude below 36 kilometers, capable of intercepting aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
Contracts between South Korean and U.S. companies remain consistent with previous years. The Korean Air-L3 Harris consortium was selected in October as the contractor for DAPA's 'Second Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Project.'
The primary contractor, U.S. defense firm L3 Harris, will collaborate with Korean Air and Israel's IAI ELTA to supply four AEW&C aircraft to the South Korean Air Force by 2032. Korean Air will purchase four Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft as the base platform and provide them to L3 Harris, while also handling the joint development of the first two aircraft and domestic modifications for the third and fourth.
Airborne early warning and control aircraft are considered key assets, equipped with high-performance radar to serve as 'flying radars and command centers.' They detect and analyze key targets across the country and command military operations in real-time from the air.
The paradigm of South Korea-U.S. defense cooperation is evolving. With significant improvements in South Korea's defense technology, collaboration is expanding beyond mere arms purchases from the U.S. to include joint development, production, and supply chain cooperation.
Jang Won-jun, a professor at Jeonbuk National University’s Advanced Defense Industry Department, stated, “We need to diversify cooperation between governments and companies in advanced technology areas where we are relatively lacking, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned systems. The negotiation of the Defense Mutual Procurement Agreement (RDP-A), a free trade agreement in the defense sector, should be expedited.”
Eom Hyo-sik, director of the Defense Security Forum's Defense Industry Security Office, advised, “When projects like the nuclear-powered submarine program or the South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation 'MASGA' project are fully underway, purchasing U.S. weapons could also become a strategic option.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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