UAE Signs KF-21 Boramae Fighter Cooperation Deal With South Korea
South Korea and the UAE have signed a letter of intent for comprehensive cooperation on the development and operation of Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighters.
The agreement was signed by the Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-su and UAE Air Force (UAEAF) Major General Rashid Mohammed al-Shamsi, allowing UAEAF personnel to take part in future exercises and air drills involving the aircraft.
Delegates from the UAEAF also visited Korea Aerospace Industries’ facilities to inspect the KF-21 production line.
The move comes after Seoul proposed joint development efforts with countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The agreement did not include details about the possibility of Abu Dhabi purchasing the next-generation fighters.
The KF-21 Boramae
South Korea’s KF-21 jets are designed to reach maximum speeds of 1,400 miles (2,200 kilometers) per hour, with a combat range of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers).
Its tools include an infrared search and track system, electronic warfare suites, and an active electronically scanned array radar that can guide IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles.
An estimated 40 units are currently in production, staggered to allow additional tests. A second batch of 20 jets is scheduled after routine air-to-air missile and radar capabilities checks are completed.
The cost of production for the KF-21 planes is estimated to be around 7.92 trillion Korean won ($5.9 billion), according to Korean Aerospace Industries and co-manufacturer Indonesian Aerospace.
