The particular fighter jet is officially named the KF-21 Boramae. It is actually the cheaper and also less-stealthy alternative to the US-built F-35. The word ‘Boramae’ that got mentioned in the name of the fighter jet is literally translated to ‘young hawk’. The KF-21 Boramae will also be joining the elite group of global supersonic fighter jet makers.
The highly anticipated modern invention made was recently revealed at the Korea Aerospace Industries Co. facility that is located in Sacheon, South Korea. This prototype reveals of South Korea’s first domestically developed fighter jet is being hailed as a highly symbolic moment in the country’s quest for a combat plane of its own.
According to a report, the fighter jet is expected to fly next year. Once operational, the KF-21 jet is expected to be armed with a range of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles — and possibly even air-launched cruise missiles. The twin-engine fighters will come in single- and two-seat versions, depending on the missions to which they are tasked.
This particular fighter jet is actually a joint project between South Korea and Indonesia. Indonesia has agreed to pay 20% of development costs and plans to acquire 50 examples for its own air force. Previously, Indonesia was behind on payments for the program and there were suggestions that its status in the program could be under threat.
South Korea has now become the eighth country in the world that has developed an advanced supersonic fighter with the advanced production of ‘KF-21 Indigenous Fighter’. Other countries are including the US, Russia, China, Japan, France, Sweden, and a European consortium of the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain.