A formidable 4.5-generation fleet of KF-21 fighters would undoubtedly elevate the UAE’s aerial prowess.
Seoul and Abu Dhabi penned a letter of intent this week regarding collaboration on the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 fighter jet program. Based on this preliminary agreement, the United Arab Emirates Air Force will gain access to South Korean units that operate the Boramae jets and observe aerial drills that involve the aircraft. The strengthening ties between the two nations come as Abu Dhabi continues to beef up and diversify its defense capabilities. Tensions in the Red Sea continue to escalate as the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels wreak havoc in the critical waterway. Possessing a formidable 4.5-generation fleet of KF-21 fighters would undoubtedly elevate the UAE’s aerial prowess and potentially deter aggressors.
Speaking of the UAE delegation’s visit, KAI president Kang stated, “This visit by the air force provided an opportunity to showcase KAI’s advanced aircraft development technology to the UAE and laid the groundwork for expanding defense cooperation in the future.” “We will continue to strive for exports to the Middle East and Africa.”
An Overview of the Boramae Fighter
Seoul initially conceptualized plans to field an advanced multirole jet series back in the early 2000s, as its existing fleets of F-4 Phantom IIs and F-5 Tiger IIs were rapidly aging. The resulting KF-21 program has been touted as a “cheaper” alternative to the U.S.-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Approximately 65 percent of the KF-21’s components are manufactured by local companies in South Korea. Maintaining a virtually “homegrown” sophisticated fighter is a huge win for the nation, especially considering Seoul does not have an extensive history of producing similar aircraft.
The Boramae’s twin-engine configuration is powered by General Electric F414-GE-400K engines, enabling the fighter to fly at speeds in excess of Mach 1.8 (times the speed of sound). In terms of sensors and avionics, the South Korean fighter is certainly deserving of its 4.5-generation designation. Features including an AESA radar, an integrated electro-optical targeting system, and stealth elements make the Boramae a powerful jet. Notably, the KF-21 is more sophisticated than any of North Korea’s fighters, a vital factor considering Pyongyang’s continued hostilities toward its southern neighbor. Armament-wise, the new South Korean jet can be equipped with a vast array of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons including the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-120, Harpoons, and other anti-ship missiles.
The Boramae’s Partner Nations
Back in 2010, Indonesia joined the KF-21 program as a junior partner and agreed to contribute $1.2 billion to the program. However, last year, Jakarta’s contribution was slashed by nearly two-thirds as the country struggled to meet its initial monetary obligation. Since Seoul agreed to these new terms, South Korea has been accepting responsibility for taking on more of the financial burden surrounding the fighter program. If the UAE does ultimately opt to collaborate on the KF-21 series, potential cost-sharing could alleviate some of the financial stress for Seoul.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
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