KF-21 Could Join Battle for New Philippine Fighter

03 Agustus 2024

Artist's impression of KF-21 Boramae full armed (image: GTA5-mods)

The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 fighter looks poised to join a long-running competition in the Philippines.

Manila has issued a request for information (RFI) about the developmental twin-engined aircraft, to which KAI is preparing a response, says Shin Dong Hak, vice-president of international business development at KAI.

“They issued an RFI about the KF-21 and we are preparing [our response] now,” says Shin, who was speaking to FlightGlobal at the Farnborough air show. 

Manila’s Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) competition has been going for some years with two aircraft in contention: the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Saab Gripen.

The Philippines is already an important market for KAI, operating 12 FA-50s and with intentions to obtain 12 more. 

Shin adds that KAI has held “very deep discussions” about the KF-21 with one country in the Middle East. While Shin did not name the country, KAI has already enjoyed success in the region, with the Iraqi air force operating 24 T-50IQ advanced jet trainers.

See full article FlightGlobal

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