South Korea to release first prototype of indigenous KFX fighter by April 2021

The fuselage of the KFX prototype as shown by KAI. Photo c/o KAI through Jane's.

South Korean aviation company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) confirmed that they are planning to have the first prototype of their indigenous Korea Fighter Experimental (KFX) fighter aircraft by April 2021.

KAI released a photo of the prototype’s fuselage as the aircraft is being assembled in KAI’s production yard in Sacheon.

According to a report by British defense media outlet Jane’s, the KFX’s first flight is expected to be made by 2022, and completion of the development program by mid-2026. Mass production of the first tranche called Block 1 is expected to proceed also by 2026, while Block 2 models will be produced from 2029.

Jane’s also reported that the development of a new indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the KFX is expected to be completed by August 2020 by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Hanwha Systems.

Block 1 aircraft is expected to be only capable of delivering a limited range of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, while Block 2 aircraft will be fully integrated with a wider range of munitions.


[1] Jane’s