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South Korea’s KF-21 and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 shortlisted for Philippines fighter jet contract.
The defense market in the Philippines is intensifying as two major competitors, South Korea's KF-21 and the American F-16 from Lockheed Martin, have been shortlisted for the Philippine government’s multirole fighter (MRF) aircraft procurement project. According to an article from The Korea Economic Daily published on October 18, 2024, the KF-21 is considered a strong contender for meeting the Philippines' needs. With an estimated budget of 400 billion Philippine pesos ($6.95 billion), this project aims to address the growing threat China poses in the South China Sea.
Only the KF-21 Boramae from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin's F-16 were shortlisted, setting up a two-way competition (Picture source: KAI/US DOD)
The Philippine Air Force launched this project in August, seeking to acquire around 40 multirole fighter jets. In the first phase, a budget of 61.2 billion pesos ($1.1 billion) has been allocated to purchase 10 combat aircraft. Initially, several aircraft were considered, including the Swedish Gripen, the French Rafale, and the European Eurofighter Typhoon. However, only the KF-21 Boramae from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin's F-16 were shortlisted, setting up a two-way competition.
The KF-21, South Korea’s first domestically developed fighter, offers advanced technology. This 4.5-generation fighter features partial stealth capabilities, a maximum payload of 7,700 kilograms, and 10 hardpoints for air-to-air missiles and other weapons. With a top speed of 2,200 km/h and a range of 2,900 kilometers, it is equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems such as the AESA radar and is powered by a GE Aerospace F414 engine. The unit cost of the KF-21 is estimated at $71.5 million, around $36.5 million less than its European competitors like the Typhoon or Rafale.
The KF-21 Boramae is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter developed by South Korea to replace older models such as the F-4 Phantom II and KF-5E/F in the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The project began in the early 2000s and involved several feasibility studies, with international collaboration from Indonesia. The aim of the KF-21 project is to bolster South Korea’s domestic fighter production capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign military technology suppliers.
The KF-21 includes several planned variants, such as Block I, Block II, and Block III, along with potential derivatives like the KF-21N (carrier-based version), KF-21EA (electronic warfare variant), and KF-21SA (export version). Block I focuses on air-to-air capabilities, while Block II aims to enhance air-to-ground missions and sensor systems. Block III (KF-21EX) is expected to incorporate more advanced stealth features and integration with unmanned systems.
The design of the KF-21 emphasizes reducing its radar cross-section (RCS) and includes provisions for future upgrades, such as full stealth capabilities. The Block I version, scheduled for production between 2024 and 2028, is configured primarily for air-to-air combat with limited air-to-ground capabilities. It features semi-embedded weapons and advanced radar and sensor systems. Forty units are planned for delivery to the ROKAF, with an additional 50 for the Indonesian Air Force.
The KF-21’s design includes a delta-wing configuration with canards for improved agility and maneuverability. It also provides for an internal weapons bay in later versions and uses composite materials to reduce weight and optimize performance. Key features include a glass cockpit with a large-area display (LAD) and advanced avionics, such as sensor fusion technology, which integrates data from multiple onboard and external sensors. The aircraft employs a digital Fly-By-Wire (FBW) control system, nonlinear dynamic model inversion control, and safety features such as automatic terrain following and ground collision avoidance systems. It also uses radar-absorbing materials (RAM) and radar-absorbing structures (RAS) to minimize radar visibility.
KAI plans to add air-to-ground capabilities by 2028, with mass production of upgraded versions expected to follow (Picture source: KAI)
In terms of performance, the KF-21 is powered by the F414-GE-400 engine, providing a thrust-to-weight ratio comparable to the Eurofighter Typhoon. The aircraft is designed for maneuverability, featuring low wing loading and advanced flight control systems to support agility and high-angle-of-attack capabilities. It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of approximately 1,800 kilometers, depending on mission profile and loadout.
The KF-21 is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enabling the simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets. This is complemented by an infrared search and track (IRST) system and electro-optical targeting pods (EOTGP) for extended-range aircraft detection and targeting. The avionics suite includes an integrated electronic warfare system with radar warning receivers (RWR), electronic countermeasures (ECM), and countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDS), offering data fusion capabilities to enhance situational awareness and targeting.
The KF-21 can carry a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, MBDA Meteor, and IRIS-T missiles. It is equipped with 10 external hardpoints, with plans for an internal weapons bay in future versions. Ground-attack capabilities include guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and various domestically developed munitions, such as the Cheonryong air-launched cruise missile (ALCM). Additionally, the KF-21 is armed with an M61A2 Vulcan cannon for short-range engagements.
The F-16’s multirole capabilities make it adaptable to a variety of missions beyond air-to-air combat, including ground-attack roles (Picture source: US DoD)
On the other hand, the F-16 has proven its capabilities on the battlefield. Since its debut in 1978, over 4,500 units have been sold to 25 countries, making it one of the most widely sold fighter jets in the world. However, as a fourth-generation fighter, the F-16 lacks the stealth and advanced electronic warfare systems featured in the KF-21. Its price is estimated at $43 million per unit, making it a less expensive option compared to the South Korean fighter.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is known for its versatile air-to-air combat capabilities, combining advanced avionics, radar systems, and a range of precision-guided missiles. One of its notable features is the AN/APG-66(V2) radar, which allows it to track multiple targets simultaneously while providing improved detection range and precision. The F-16 can carry various air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM for beyond-visual-range engagements and the AIM-9X Sidewinder for close-range dogfights. With its off-boresight capability, the AIM-9X can lock onto targets from extreme angles, making it highly effective in close combat. This combination of radar-guided and infrared-guided weapons enables the F-16 to dominate both long-range and short-range engagements.
The F-16 compensates for its older design with better maneuverability and integrated electronic warfare systems like the Pylon Integrated Dispensing System (PIDS), which deploys countermeasures against radar-guided threats. Its agility, combined with helmet-mounted cueing systems that allow pilots to target enemies by looking at them, gives the F-16 an advantage in close combat.
Moreover, the F-16’s multirole capabilities make it adaptable to a variety of missions beyond air-to-air combat, including ground-attack roles. In air-to-air confrontations, its ability to engage multiple targets at different ranges and its integrated defensive measures provide a balanced approach to modern aerial warfare.
While the Philippines have shown interest in acquiring the F-16, other factors may influence their decision. The country aims to eventually acquire the F-35, regarded as the most advanced fighter jet in operation. The Philippines may choose the F-16 as a stepping stone toward future F-35 procurement. However, the U.S. government strictly controls the sale of the F-35, and some nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, have had their requests denied.
Korea Aerospace Industries is also leveraging its previous success in military aircraft exports. In 2014, KAI delivered 12 FA-50s to the Philippines and has since provided logistical and military support, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Similar models have also been sold to countries such as Poland and Malaysia. KAI hopes to build on this success by offering similar services, including system and weapon upgrades for the KF-21, should the Philippines choose to purchase it.
Currently, the KF-21 is limited to air-to-air combat. KAI plans to add air-to-ground capabilities by 2028, with mass production of upgraded versions expected to follow. If KAI secures the contract to supply 10 aircraft to the Philippines, it would mark the first export of the KF-21, a significant milestone for South Korea’s defense industry, which aims to become the third-largest arms exporter within the next five years.
The KF-21 Boramae is a joint project between South Korea and Indonesia, aimed at developing a next-generation supersonic fighter with homegrown technology for key components. A prototype was unveiled in April 2021, and mass production is expected to begin by the end of this year, with the first delivery to the South Korean Air Force scheduled for the second half of 2026.