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SEOUL: South Korea’s newly developed fighter made its debut at a defense exhibition where the nation showcased its high-tech military hardware that has been much in demand since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The KF-21 made by state-run Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd was displayed Monday in Seoul as a part of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition that runs through most of the week. The fighter with stealth characteristics has been about 10 years in development. It is designed to conduct deep strikes into adversarial territories, according to security specialist publication Janes.
The plane, also known as the Boramae, is seen as a more affordable alternative to Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 Lightning II. It will be used by South Korea’s military and sold overseas — with mass production slated for next year and deployment in 2026.
KAI didn’t release information on the price of individual aircraft. Poland, which has been a major purchaser of South Korea weaponry, has shown an interest in joining the development of the fighters, South Korean broadcaster MBC reported.
South Korea also plans to display eight other airplanes and military helicopters as well as artillery systems at the expo.
South Korea’s defense exports last year totaled about $17 billion as of November, up from $7.25 billion in all of 2021. Major buyers include countries that have for decades relied on stockpiles of aging Russian weaponry, like Poland, but have seen that many of those systems are no match for the weapons deployed by the US and its allies.
South Korea was the world’s ninth largest exporter as of the end of 2022, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Poland, which borders Ukraine, has been the biggest customer for South Korean arms since the war started, buying items that include tanks and self-propelled artillery.
Meanwhile, Washington seems to be allowing ally Seoul to sell to states in places like eastern Europe as US defense contractors race to fill orders for weapons that will go to Kyiv, Tel Aviv and Taipei, which is staring down threats from China.
The US Air Force is looking to have a B-52H Stratofortress touch down in South Korea in conjunction with the exhibition, US Forces Korea said Monday. The visit would be the first of its sort for the bomber designed to deliver long-range strikes, including those with nuclear weapons, according to Yonhap News.
No date has been given for its arrival but the move is certain to anger North Korea, which has threatened retaliation against the US and South Korea for bringing American nuclear military assets to the region.
The KF-21 made by state-run Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd was displayed Monday in Seoul as a part of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition that runs through most of the week. The fighter with stealth characteristics has been about 10 years in development. It is designed to conduct deep strikes into adversarial territories, according to security specialist publication Janes.
The plane, also known as the Boramae, is seen as a more affordable alternative to Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 Lightning II. It will be used by South Korea’s military and sold overseas — with mass production slated for next year and deployment in 2026.
KAI didn’t release information on the price of individual aircraft. Poland, which has been a major purchaser of South Korea weaponry, has shown an interest in joining the development of the fighters, South Korean broadcaster MBC reported.
South Korea also plans to display eight other airplanes and military helicopters as well as artillery systems at the expo.
South Korea’s defense exports last year totaled about $17 billion as of November, up from $7.25 billion in all of 2021. Major buyers include countries that have for decades relied on stockpiles of aging Russian weaponry, like Poland, but have seen that many of those systems are no match for the weapons deployed by the US and its allies.
South Korea was the world’s ninth largest exporter as of the end of 2022, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Poland, which borders Ukraine, has been the biggest customer for South Korean arms since the war started, buying items that include tanks and self-propelled artillery.
Meanwhile, Washington seems to be allowing ally Seoul to sell to states in places like eastern Europe as US defense contractors race to fill orders for weapons that will go to Kyiv, Tel Aviv and Taipei, which is staring down threats from China.
The US Air Force is looking to have a B-52H Stratofortress touch down in South Korea in conjunction with the exhibition, US Forces Korea said Monday. The visit would be the first of its sort for the bomber designed to deliver long-range strikes, including those with nuclear weapons, according to Yonhap News.
No date has been given for its arrival but the move is certain to anger North Korea, which has threatened retaliation against the US and South Korea for bringing American nuclear military assets to the region.
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