Aerospace

South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae Takes To the Air

Meet the KAI KF-21, a newly built South Korean fighter jet. This aircraft is being developed in collaboration with Indonesia, with the goal of developing a sophisticated multirole fighter. #KAI

Meet the KAI KF-21, a newly built South Korean fighter jet. This aircraft is being developed in collaboration with Indonesia, with the goal of developing a sophisticated multirole fighter.

It passed the major millstone of testing yesterday when it took its first flight from the production factory. The airframe is stealthier than any fourth-generation fighter, but unlike fifth-generation fighters, it does not carry weapons in internal bays, though internal bays may be added later in development.

The initiative is led by the South Korean government, which owns 60% of the company. In 2010, Indonesia acquired a 20% ownership in the programme, with the remaining 20% held by private partners like as the manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Following the FA-50, the KAI KF-X is South Korea’s second homegrown fighter jet development programme.

The first prototype was constructed and launched in April 2021 during a rollout event at KAI’s headquarters near Sacheon Airport. It was given the formal name Boramae. The first test flight was place on July 19, 2022, with manufacture set to commence in 2026.

At least 40 aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2028, with South Korea aiming to deploy 120 by 2032. It will also be offered on the international market. KAI is building six flying prototypes, the last two of which will be two-seaters. The basic flying characteristics of the aircraft were validated during the first flight.

The Northrop F-5 and leftover F-4 Phantoms will be replaced by the KF-21 in ROKAF service. Its initial capacity will most likely be limited to air-to-air duties, for which the MBDA Meteor is the principal weapon. On the initial flight, four mockups of the missile were carried in the semi-recessed under-fuselage bays of the KF-21.

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.