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), 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 unveiled in April 2021 and the first production model released in March 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' initiative 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 represented the largest share of 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 recent failed negotiations between DAPA and Boeing regarding the 'Special Operations Large Helicopter Project.' However, experts suggest that the current levels are consistent with historical norms.
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 'Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SM-6) model selection.'
The SM-6 project aims to procure U.S.-made SM-6 missiles for installation on the King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II) through the FMS process. Known as the 'Sea Patriot,' 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 threats simultaneously. It is classified as an end-phase intercept missile, capable of targeting aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
Contracts between South Korean and U.S. companies remain at similar levels to 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 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft by 2032, as requested by the South Korean Air Force. Korean Air will purchase four Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft as the base platform for L3 Harris and will be responsible for the joint development of the first two units and domestic modifications of the third and fourth units. A total of six aircraft, including electronic warfare aircraft, are expected to be procured.
Airborne early warning and control aircraft are critical assets equipped with high-performance radar, serving as 'flying radar and command centers.' They detect and analyze key targets across the nation and provide real-time command and control of military operations 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 partnerships.
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 defense security at the Korea Defense Security Forum, advised, “When projects like the nuclear-powered submarine program or the 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), 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 unveiled in April 2021 and the first production model released in March 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' initiative 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 represented the largest share of 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 recent failed negotiations between DAPA and Boeing regarding the 'Special Operations Large Helicopter Project.' However, experts suggest that the current levels are consistent with historical norms.
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 'Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SM-6) model selection.'
The SM-6 project aims to procure U.S.-made SM-6 missiles for installation on the King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II) through the FMS process. Known as the 'Sea Patriot,' 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 threats simultaneously. It is classified as an end-phase intercept missile, capable of targeting aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
Contracts between South Korean and U.S. companies remain at similar levels to 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 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft by 2032, as requested by the South Korean Air Force. Korean Air will purchase four Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft as the base platform for L3 Harris and will be responsible for the joint development of the first two units and domestic modifications of the third and fourth units. A total of six aircraft, including electronic warfare aircraft, are expected to be procured.
Airborne early warning and control aircraft are critical assets equipped with high-performance radar, serving as 'flying radar and command centers.' They detect and analyze key targets across the nation and provide real-time command and control of military operations 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 partnerships.
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 defense security at the Korea Defense Security Forum, advised, “When projects like the nuclear-powered submarine program or the 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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