S. Korea to sign contract to build 20 KF-21s this year
SEOUL, March 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's arms procurement agency plans to sign a contract this year to build 20 KF-21 fighter jets, officials said Friday, in an apparent slash to the initial production volume of 40 units as originally planned.
The Defense Project Promotion Committee made the decision as part of the jet's 7.92 trillion-won (US$5.92 billion) production plan it approved, according to the officials at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
Under the plan set to run through 2028, DAPA will sign a contract with the jet's manufacturer, Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd., this year for only 20 units, and clinch another deal for 20 more units next year after further performance tests.
The phased production seeks to address concerns raised by a feasibility study last year on the jet's initial production that suggested a cut in production, citing the need for more tests.
A DAPA official noted the agency's commitment to the fighter jet's timely deployment, saying the planned production volume of 40 units remains ultimately unchanged.
If the project proceeds as planned, the Air Force is expected to receive its first KF-21 in the second half of 2026. The country seeks to ultimately operate a total of 120 KF-21s by producing 80 more units by 2032.
South Korea launched the KF-21 fighter development program with Indonesia in 2015, with the aim of acquiring a homegrown supersonic fighter to replace its aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets.
"(We) expect (this project) to contribute to the Air Force's capabilities by acquiring a Korean-type fighter jet that is capable of joint operations with cutting-edge fighters," DAPA said in a release.
DAPA has been staging various performance tests on its fleet of six KF-21 prototypes since the first one made its maiden flight in July 2022. Earlier this week, prototype No. 5 successfully conducted its first aerial refueling test.
Meanwhile, defense authorities also approved a 3.89 trillion-won project for performance upgrades to the Air Force's F-15K fighter jets built by U.S. defense giant Boeing.
The project, which will run through 2034, is designed to improve the F-15Ks' long-range operational capabilities and armament capacity, according to DAPA.
In addition, the committee endorsed a 680 billion-won project for the state-run Agency for Defense Development to lead development of a shipborne surface-to-ground ballistic missile through 2036.
"Through this project, (we) will be able to acquire deterrence against potential enemy threats and early response capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats in a contingency," it said in a release.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
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