In a significant move to enhance defense cooperation, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a letter of intent focusing on the development and operation of Seoul’s advanced KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. This strategic agreement was formalized between the Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force, Lee Young-su, and UAE Air Force Major General Rashid Mohammed al-Shamsi.
As part of the agreement, personnel from the UAE Air Force (UAEAF) will participate in upcoming exercises and air drills involving the KF-21 aircraft. This collaboration underscores the growing military ties between the two nations and reflects a broader ambition by South Korea to foster joint development efforts with countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
In conjunction with the signing of the letter of intent, representatives from the UAEAF visited the facilities of Korean Aerospace Industries to evaluate the production line for the KF-21 jets. This visit illustrates UAE’s active interest in the technological capabilities of South Korea’s military aviation sector.
While this agreement lays a foundation for future military collaboration, it did not specify whether the UAE intends to purchase the KF-21 fighters, leaving questions about potential procurement open-ended.
The KF-21 Boramae represents a key advancement in South Korea’s aerospace capabilities, engineered to achieve impressive maximum speeds of 1,400 miles per hour (or approximately 2,200 kilometers per hour) and featuring a combat range of 620 miles (around 1,000 kilometers). The aircraft is equipped with an array of modern technologies, including an infrared search and track system, sophisticated electronic warfare suites, and an active electronically scanned array radar, all of which enhance its operational effectiveness, especially in conjunction with IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles.
Currently, approximately 40 units of the KF-21 are in production, with testing procedures strategically staggered to incorporate further evaluations. Following the completion of routine checks on air-to-air missile capabilities and radar functionalities, a second production batch of 20 jets is anticipated.
The total production cost for the KF-21 program is estimated at around 7.92 trillion Korean won, equivalent to approximately $5.9 billion, as reported by Korean Aerospace Industries and Indonesian Aerospace, which is involved as a co-manufacturer.
This partnership between South Korea and the UAE not only highlights the technological advancements of the KF-21 but also signifies a pivotal step in enhancing regional security and defense collaboration in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics.
