It's important to note that South Korea already has F35s as its top fighter, while the KF21 is meant to be its workhorse with significantly better readiness rates, lower operation and maintenance costs, and higher modifiability. Not to mention, the profits for exporting the KF21 would further offset development costs and even help fund future fighter programs.

People think US is involve in the KF21 development but this is not true. Unlike FA50 ..in KF 21 just American engines are used .America got nothing involve with this project .They said they help on some late technologies but they refused later on so Korea had to developed AESA radar ,IRST, EOTGP and EW suite themselves. Also Korea is developing their own engine which is targeting little higher spec then American counter part because American might control sale of KF21 later because of that.

Amazing how such as small country with very limited to no natural resources can be such a major player in all key areas like semiconductors, weapons, ships, cars, nuclear energy and of course entertainment! Imagine what Koreans could achieve if it had more land, population and natural resources.. or perhaps lack of such things propelled them to get to where they're today..

I had been in the Korean air force, and one of the major reasons of the development is that there are lots of restrictions in the maintenance of American jet fighters which lowers the number operable jets. So, suppose if korea has 100 f16 which needs regular maintenance. Then, operable jets are declined to two thirds of the total jets while waiting for the boeing/lockheed martin engineers to visit and repair the restricted parts. Considering Korea is still at war, and this kind of red tape is an opportunity cost of developing own jet and also a pain jn the a$$

The Koreans (south) always make quality products. This looks really good

I'm proud to have South Korea as a friend and ally of the U.S.

Regardless of whether it's stealthy or not, this appears to be a great aircraft overall. I like the fact that it develops many of its own electronics; iris , radar, targeting systems as well as other of its own systems! Great overall!!

Korea is the world's largest technological powerhouse. Korea is at the center of advanced technology that you can imagine.

So far it sounds like a good thing for other countries to get a downgraded f22/f35 ish plane for cheaper but having the performance of the european planes or maybe even better, definitely not a fifth gen but its a good replacement for other soviet era planes in many asian countries, we shall see how things turns out

I am proud with my Korean brothers. Hello from Turkey to our brother country. 🇹🇷❤️🇰🇷

It's amazing how a small country with very limited natural resources becoming a power house with semiconductors, shipping industry, automobile, entertainment industries ( K-Pop, K dramas/movies), and weapons lately. You can only imagine if unified Korea could become ...

It’s good to see that the market for 4.5 Gen/5th Gen fighters is expanding. They’re all very pretty looking jets and I love looking at them.

The KF21 is one of the slickist planes I have seen since the F22.. Honestly I hope several nations buy it.

I like it, it's like a mixture of f22 and euro fighter but on a simpler mechanical level, it will probably be exceptional in its role

Poland is VERY interested in it.

1. The ROKAF will replace the aging F-4E and F-5E/F with 120 KF-21s. 2. This does not inherit the existing retirement mission as it is, but replacing the urgent retirement. 3. In the ROKAF, the F-4 mission was a bomber and standoff missile platform, which is already carried out by the F-15K. 4. ROKAF holdings since 2040 are... Air dominance fighter : 60 F-35As Standoff Missile, ATK Main fighter : 59 F-15Ks Main Multi-Roll Fighter: 133 KF-16Us, 120 KF-21s Low-grade patrol, CAS: 28 F-16PBUs, 60 FA-50s 5. After 2040, 150 F-16s will be replaced with the late-stage KF-21. 6. The KF-21 is not a competitor to the F-35, the F-35 is a fighter aircraft that can only be purchased by U.S. First-Class allies, and the market for by the KF-21 is politically not for F-35s.

Correction: KF-21 is not a stealth fighter yet. KFX program is planned total 3 Phase of upgrade. From prototype to block 1 planned to 4.5 gen+ multirole fighter equivalant to KF-16 (block 52 Variant of Korean license made of F-16) or more. Phase 2 or Block 2 is planned to add electric warfare capabilities and Korea's own Air-to-air missiles. Those AAM are co-developed between KAI and MBDA or BAE. KF-21 block 2 will be armed Meteor BVR missiles or SRAAM in case of US congress won't be allowed to arm Aim9X or AIM 260 fututre long range AAM. The final phase block 3 will have internal weapon bay and lots of stealth capabilities. The reason KFX program planed to gradual evolution to stealth fighter is ROKAF is very urgent to replace their old KF-5 E/F Tiger 2s and F-4E Phantoms and KAI don't have any experience of making stealth fighter by their own. ROKAF's old 3rd gen jets constantly fall because of it's long period of operation. Also they want their new jets as versatile as KF-16. So, KF-21 is planned for both replacing their old jets as well as for future warfare.

Poland will definitely buy the KF-21. It cost less than the F-35, carry more payload, and is cheaper to maintain. The KF-21 would definitely win air superiority over the SU-35.

I think S.Korea is taking a very sensible approach. Some see a non stealthy F22/35 clone. I see a relatively simple engineering solution that potentially gives long range (no internal weapons bay allows room for fuel), high tech avionics (AESA radar, IRST etc), engine commonality with the F50 (reduced costs, proven reliability), sales potential already in the bag, a rapid way to replace F5, F4, early F16, a comprehensive range of weaponry that will suit most customer preferences and also allow flexibility of supply, a decent weapons load. I mean, come on, their biggest threats in the sky in the most likely conflict are ancient N.Korean Mig29s. If S.Korea wishes, it should be relatively simple to develop later versions with increased stealth (if the shape is right, you’re halfway there). Add stealth coatings and an internal weapons bay and it can keep up with potential enemy advances without a complete redesign. I look forward to them hopefully accompanying the Black Eagles on their next UK visit for a sales tour.

KF-21 block 1 will only support air to air combat ability. Block 2 will support air to surface attack ability. And block 3 will support stealth features.

Someday in the future, the Philippine Air Force will operate the KF-21, but for now we'll going to fly the FA-50 Fighting Eagles for the PAF.

KF21 will sale crazy once it begins to undergo production.

It really is great to see South Korea and other countries start to develop their own jets and approches to them.

The South Koreans are really good people. I am all for them building these air craft. Maybe some help from the USA in tech would be nice.

I wouldn't even say co-development with Indonesia. Apparently Indonesia was supposed to pay 20% of the costs or something and send some engineers. I heard they still haven't paid a significant portion of money they promised to pay and didn't send engineers until way late. Basically KAI did it pretty much solo if this is true. If the KF-21 turns out alright, it can probably make a big impact on the market since they are supposed to be very cost efficient. I hope so anyway. It looks very aesthetically pleasing ✨️

The Korea Herald 2020.08.05. Agency for Defense Development, “If we divide the development phase of stealth fighters into three phases, we can say that we have finished the second phase.”

Congratulations to our korean brothers. They are hardworking people and they are deserve respect. Also my country develop 4.5th-5st generation Combat jet(TF-X), similiar to Korean KF-21.

Koreja nema onog šta nemogu proizvest i to jako brzo.fantastično

I've seen a cut section of the fuselage. It has dedicated space for an internal weapons bay. Not one for bombs and cruise missiles. Just enough for air to air missiles.

Many information said that the fighter can be upgrade for the future mission such as Internal Weaponry, Drone Controller, or even become UCAV

What a great looking fighter.

The reason Korea develops the KF-21 lies in its experience of operating the T-50 and FA-50. The T-50 series aircraft had a utilization rate of nearly 90%, so the satisfaction of the Korean Air Force was very high. Based on these experiences, if we can replace F-16V-like fighters with our own, it is of course a great help in defending Korea. It's really unfortunate, but the US and Korea are far apart and the time difference is different, so important parts are not supplied in a timely manner. Therefore, it is said that the utilization rate cannot reach 75% even if the parts are converted to the same type. Although it is said to be a joint development with Indonesia, it has not paid the 20% development cost promised by Indonesia and has not paid since 2017. It is said that KAI is very dissatisfied with the cost of housing and meals for Indonesian engineers who do not do this work. A representative example of such dissatisfaction is that the foreigner who first experienced the KF-21 simulator was a Polish pilot, not an Indonesian. Indonesia, meanwhile, faithfully paid for the purchase of French-made Rafale fighters.

Looks like the F/A18 and the F22 had a baby.

The stealth capability is not questionable at all. KAI admitted that it is not a stealth fighter but it has lower RCS compared to other 4.5 Gen fighters, furthermore, KAI will be upgrading this platform into a stealth aircraft in the future if things on basic areas of the aircraft are done.

The MAIN REASON for this jet is to not have to depend on costly US maintenance and restrictions. HUGE achievement.

The coexistence of "this machine has no purpose other than death" with "this machine is beautiful and should be admired as the pride and joy of thousands of engineers" is a joy unique to aviation. I don't like living in a country who's wealth is owed almost entirely to arming our allies to the teeth while keeping a great enough advantage to scare even our friends, so on that hand it's great to see the playing field getting a bit more level. On the other, any time there is a new and awe inspiring machine in our planet's skies (including the recent leaps from Russia) there's something to celebrate. To fly is still a shared dream. I hope the KF-21 has a long and beautiful run, and I hope not a single one ever has to see the horrors of war.

As a korean to see this video makes me happy and many people think it's looks like a F22raptor and that kai copeyed the desine but Lockheed Martin was just a advisory and all of the development was from kai

I can't wait to see this and the FA-50 in an Ace Combat game.

There will be developments for stealth pods for sure to turn it to a 5th gen but teetering over 4 and 5 while on a budget is a great thing since it gives you operational flexibility.

Congrats S.korea. Love from philippines.

I definitely think it’s gonna be the go to jet for countries replacing old Russian made jets

This aircraft was never meant to be on par with 5th gen fighters. It was designed as a 4.5gen and stealth was not the top priority. It was meant to solve the issue of cost and maintenance downtime of current 5th gen aircraft. Essentially it is designed to work in cooperation with f35(ROKAF already has a few delivered and many on order), in a high-low mixture. Think of it like the current USN strategy of using f35c to gain air superiority then using f18's for actual heavy duty missions. Many countries will need the f35 for their top tier aircraft, but the maintenance time and cost is a lot higher than 4th gen aircraft so there is a vacuum that needs to be filled after each sortie. Currently the f16 class fills this role and the kf21 is essentially the replacement for that position. Unless you can get boatloads of f35(like the US) you need a low-cost quick turn-around airframe like this as well.

Kudos to them, especially given their size, for making an indigenous fighter. It's more than we can say here in Oz!😄

A trade off in capabilities for cheaper costs and easier maintenance compared to high-end western aircrafts is actually a genius move from SK. They researched the market well and found out what developing countries and somewhat developed countries’ demand. No wonder SK got a lot of purchase orders for this relatively newcomer aircraft (which haven’t been proven much in real combat but believed by many to be much more reliable than their western counterparts).

KF-21 is beautiful ♡

I just love your channel, one of the Best aviation documentary channels in KZfaq.

I like, how Korea, design and produce their own stuff. They don't just buy from others. That is how you grow an economy. They are some of our greatest allies in the US for stuff like that.

This looks like some super plane you would see in an Ace Combat game

Looks like a cross between an F-15 Strike Eagle and an F-22 Raptor.

That's just an F22 - minus the vector thrust system?

Looks awesome

KF-21 Boramae is already developing a double seat and MUMT at the same time, so if it succeeds in mass production, it will of course go to the 5.5th generation. If it succeeds, it's very likely that it will be a real air fighter carrying unmanned aerial vehicles right after the United States or almost at the same time.

I love the fact that the KF-21 is getting some love and recognition. Even our air force in the philippines is currently considering this for its modernization programs against the likes of the F16 Falcon and the JAS39 Gripen. It would be a very welcome addition.

Greetings from the Islands of the Philippines!

0. Tell some people who laugh at the KF-21. 1. The KFX program started 20 years ago, and for the first 10 years was a period of exploration of feasibility, and there were a lot of objections in Korea because it was a project with huge taxes and could not fail. 2. So in order to minimize risk, KFX was approached conservatively, so it was created with only feasible existing technologies. So it became a 4.5-generation fighter, with a stealth shape and an internal armored space, but it was planned to only be an external arm in the air-to-air integration block 1 and the multi-roll integration block 2. 3. Among them, the biggest challenge for South Korea was the development of the GaN device AESA radar and the development of Avionics, but it was successfully completed to implement the APG-83 performance radar and digital FBW. This contributed to the intensive help of thousands of Korean companies, and this would not have been possible without the world’s best-class Korean semiconductor technology. 4 . In addition, in order to minimize the risk of failure, we signed an official contract with Lockheed Martin as a TAC company, which cost a lot of money, so the shape of the KF-21 is similar to the F-22 and F-35. 5 . In the future, the KF-21 to be introduced by ROKAF will be 120 units in the initial volume, the next volume will be 150 units, and at least 270 KF-21s will be mass-produced in the Korean Air Force alone. 6 . Block 3, which has not yet been budgeted, will become a true fifth-generation stealth fighter with the use of the already designed internal space, and the validity of Block 3 will be reviewed after the block 2 is put in-time deployment and the use evaluation is conducted. 7 . If the KF-21 program is evaluated as successful, it is rumored that ROKAF will develop a large-scale fighter aircraft using two F110 engines to replace the F-15K to be eliminated after 2049, which is also developed by increasing the size of the existing KF-21 by about 40% to minimize risk. ( It's like a 40% larger size in the F-18C/D to become an F-18E/F) 8. The KF-21 is not a competitor to the F-35, the U.S. is selling the F-35 only to its first-class allies, and the KF-21 will be sold to countries that do not buy the F-35 for political reasons. 9 . The KF-21 was referenced to the F-22 and F-35, and it was natural to follow the world’s best stealth fighter, and it was bought at a fair price to Lockheed Martin. You can laugh at the copycat. 10. South Korea, which started on the ashes of the Korean War just 70 years ago, is used to laughing at others. However, it started on the ashes and is now a developed country and a military powerhouse, Europe is also buying our weapons, and We have entered the only developed country in history that have gained independence from the colonies, and we have never invaded any other country. 11. When other countries laugh, we stand up so silently, and it’s advantageous for us to laugh at them. It's good to laugh now. ❌ It doesn't matter if you laugh, but now anyone can invade us and we can make you An impotent.

I wonder if the KF-21 stealth abilities improve when its not loaded with any external weapons and whether it could be used as a forward scout for long range air-to-air weapons. Remember, there are many new variations of air to air missles being made, some with 300+ Km range. You could use a fleet of KF-21 both as missle trucks and as stealthy forward observers relaying targeting information to less stealthy, but heavily armed aircraft flying at the rear.

Producing you own fighter jets is very tough to do.

1.AESA radar -Hanwha,, ADD (KOREA), 2.IRST -Hanwha, kai(KOREA), 3.Eotgp -Hanwha, kai,(KOREA) 4.RF-jammer-LIG Nex1(KOREA), 5.EWC-LIG Nex1(KOREA), 6.PWR-LIG Nex1(KOREA), 7.CMDS -LIG Nex1(KOREA), 8.MISSON computer-KAI,ADD(KOREA) 9.DIGITALCOCKPIT, Hanwha,, ADD (KOREA), 10. Ge Engine -Hanwha License (KOREA) 11. Avionics control system- kai(korea) 12. brake system -KAI(KOREA), 13.K-LINK communication system-Hanwha,, ADD (KOREA), 14 aircraft fuselage - KAI(korea), 15 Aircraft Wings-KAI(KOREA)

The reason the Kf-21 is scary is that it carries out multi-air raids with numerous stealth drones in the two-seat version.

I’m curious how stealthy they can make the missiles they put on the plane. Like if they need to use stealth to take out ground targets. I’m sure they can design a couple bombs or missiles that blend in with the plane and have a low radar cross section. Even if there’s a cover on them that disconnects from the actual bomb or missile when they’re fired.

this is so beautiful♥️

Koreans are estimating that the jet will cost around 50~60m dollars per unit, so that's nearly 40% cheaper than the latest batch of F-16s (falcons are super expensive these days). Yes, the F-16 is more reliable, but the KF-21 having a brand-new airframe and perhaps longer support (since Koreans themselves are using the aircraft) is a nice option for countries who want a modern fighter but can't afford the latest and greatest. Koreans themselves are making the KF-21 to replace old F-16s, which implies that they wanted a warhorse-like fighter: easy to maintain, lower upkeep costs, etc...which is everything that the Raptor or the Lighting II isn't. Koreans already have nearly 60 F-35s, so I bet they really felt the need to make the 'modern F-16' faster :)

From an American 🇺🇸 Congratulations to South Korea you made a beautiful fighter jet! I’m sure you can build better aircraft than Russia. You probably can build better planes than China!

4:53 that's not true. There is a space specifically reserved for internal weapons bay and it will be utilized in Block 3. Blocks 1 and 2 will be a heavily armed multirole fighter with external hard points and Block 3 and on will be full stealth with internal weapons bay. The program will have both, just like F22 and F35 do. Both F22 and F35 can be configured and become non-stealth with external hard points configuration.

South Korea is geopolitically surrounded by Russia, China, North Korea, and Japan. Self-defense is a necessary and sufficient condition in East Asia. That's why Korea spends $50 billion on defense every year.

Beautiful plane. 😍

A really scary fact. Korea was the world's poorest country 60 years ago. They are now making semiconductors and developing their own fighter jets... What's even scarier is that the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, which chose the wrong system, is still the poorest country in the world.

Poland and Philippines are already showing interest.

"Dad, can we have F-22?" "No honey we have F-22 at home." F-22 at home:

you make such incredible videos

One of the major problems with just purchasing us jets is that they are pretty much paranoid about the technology leaking into other nations (which makes complete sense tbh) to the point where unscrewing a single screw alerts the US Department of Defense. The US also said that it is important to have military equipment from the same environment in order to have smoother joint operations, which makes sense until we realize that despite owning F35s, we never really "own" it. That's why the KF21 is so significant for Korea.

This will be the steady seller for the counties who can not afford to buy expensive American fighter jets.

the thing is, even tho Indonesia is partnered with Korea in making the KF-21 Boramae, it still hasn't paid off its amount of shares to the Koreans but the Indonesian govt wants American technology shared to Korea from Lockheed for itself, and Korea isn't allowed to give the secret information to Indonesia (since Indonesia didn't buy any F-35 stealth fighters from the US)... yeah, basically they don't wanna pay. TL;DR: Indonesia doesn't want to pay its shares of the KF-21 Boramae program because the US forbid Korea from giving their top secret information to Indonesia because Indonesia hasn't bought an F-35 yet.

Don't underestimate the Korean's. HWACHAAAAAA!

Beautiful airframes.

I am happy that it's South Korea, because it's a great allies with the US!!!

Contender for the Philippine Air Force Multi-role Fighter Acquisition Program, it is fighting against the F16 Block 70/72 And The Gripen As well as its older brother the FA50.

My 2 cents worth; The KF21 was designed to have a 2 seater from the very beginning. They called it a trainer version but the reality is, it is very similar to EW platform or MUMT designated architecture we have not seen before. Korea has been developing EW/ECM platforms since 1990s and are said to be fairly advanced given their electronic industry muscle. Also their geography allows them to scan China, Japan and some part of Russia to collect necessary electronic signatures. They also operate F16, F15, F35 hence collecting necessary date should not be too much of an issue. They have developed AESA radar adding more modern ECM capabilities as well. Although they are new to radar market, they are established semiconductor producers and they have been manufacturing and using GaN nodes (the same is used for 5G network transmitters and receivers, Korea is the third largest provider of 5G network systems). They are also developing their own HARM (AGM88) and Taurus II. The MUMT (Manned and Unmanned Team) would work much better with a controller near them as well. Yet F22 or F35 does not have a 2 seater to accommodate the operator. KF21 was developed in conjunction with their UAV fleet (recon, refuel, attack and air versions) which is also conducting test flights and would be available at the same time KF21 is delivered to the RoKAF. It appears, although it is 4+ gen platform, the EW/ECM and MUMT capabilities make it different from the rest. In practice, 4 KF21 (1 EW, 1 MUMT, 2 escorts) with 6-14 UAVs (2 recon/EW/ECM, 4 refuel, 4 ground attack and 2 air escort) would provide very interesting strike package. This package honestly looks awfully similar with the 6 gen concept many countries are developing without the full stealth capabilities. Definitely an interesting platform and concept. Given FA50 has 89% operation rate, if the KF21 fleet can manage anything similar by sacrificing some of their stealth capabilities, it would still be a scary combination.

As an American, I love this jet. ESP it’s design and I’m glad Korea knows the importance of a good inexpensive reliable jet

I would appreciate if the other colaborators (quite big and important ones too) on things such as the IRIS-T would also be mentioned and not just Germany.

Interesting

세상에 KF-21 소개를 이곳에서 보게될 줄은 정말 꿈에도 몰랐네요.. Found And Explained 구독한 보람이 있는 순간이었습니다!😄

The real challenge is sensor fusion and Korean missiles including the hypersonic cruise. But even more challenging is that Koreans are developing their own network KLink which is compatible with but independent from the NATO link. This is a very ambitious project. I am a Korean But little bit scared about the scope.

Good looking jet

Nice fighter jet... 👍😊

Korea is not the best country, but it is still the world's top five industrial countries. People who are suspicious and jealous of the development of KF-21 think they are ignorant or discriminatory

I thought from the thumbnail somebody just stole an f-22 and repainted it lol. Should be interesting to see in the future, great video

Indonesia is no longer a part of the program because Indonesia doesn't want to pay for the program. I am happy that Indonesia is no longer a partner in the program. Indonesia wants something for nothing.

The F-22 and F-35 are very different in size, this is the size of the latter. It's the small do-everything jet like the old F-16, as opposed to the huge air superiority fighters like the F-15 and F-22. (And yes, I know the F-15E is the best medium bomber ever, but the original design mantra was "not a pound for air to ground", and the -C with the 101-0 win record is a very different aircraft.)

Someone already mentioned one of the main readons of developing. I'd like to add another main reason is that all American jet fighters require certificate if South Korea Air Force want to install their own missile or equipments. Building their own fight jet, they don't need to ask anyone's approval. It's their own fight jet, they can do whatever they want to do.

Bro needs to do a vid on the Mitsubishi SpaceJet or the up and coming Mitsubishi/BAE 6th gen fighter

If the Korean Raptor will be anything like Korean fried chicken, it’ll be spicier and wayyyy better than the American original from which it was copied.

Love your videos !!

If need just reliable jet fighter, just use KF21 block 1 or block 2. It will be cheaper than KF21 block 3. KF21 Block 3 would be more expensive since it will has enough stealthy feature.

Another great video!

I appreciate that they named it the (K)F-21.... It's like a budget F-22, except that's actually a REALLY big compliment! I'd recently been curious what the F-22 would be like if it lacked that stupid-expensive _and_ performance limiting Radar Absorbing Material, albeit while being otherwise unchanged - a Gen 4.925 I guess. This doesn't have the internal bays, nor the engines for that matter, but it'll still be interesting to see how it stacks up. Well done, Korea! 👍👍 And kudos to Poland, for that matter!

Beautiful jet!

Koreans, Japanese and south east asia face threats from China and north korea so developing a home grown fighter that all of region will use is a great strategy as spares would be abundant

When SK decided to buy F-35As in 2013, LM(Lockheed Martin) promised to help SK to develop the indigenous fighter. Assistance and consulting on a ‘general level.’ This is one of the reasons why KF-21 has the appearance of F-22. It looks like a ‘F/A-18 Super Hornet in the guise of F-22’. The F-414 engines are shared with the former. A ‘shrinked’ F-22 with smaller engines. But this resemblance is only a starting point.

“Uhm sir a flying football just dropped a lazer guided bij on us. What do we do”