South Korea watches Canadian reviews US fighter deals with its ‘cheap’ F-35 version

In many ways, the reception hall of Korea Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. is the dream of every aircraft and helicopter enthusiast.

Full of model aircraft, especially one that stands out. At first glance, you’ll be confused by the fact that it’s now politically notorious (at least in Canadian terms) F-35 fighter.

The KF-21 Boramae (Hawk) has the same corner tail and similar stylish lines. When noted, a senior Kai manager shockedly acknowledges the similarities of “invisible design”.

If all the fierce campaign rhetoric and the posture of the trade war can be believed, Canada could put it on the market on products other than the US-made F-35.

Let’s take a look.

Liberals openly threaten to accept the first 16 aircraft in order and then fill the RAF flight lines elsewhere, with the jet built by Lockheed Martin coveting for decades.

One of the reasons the Air Force supports the F-35 is because of its advanced features, especially its sensors and connectivity. One of the reasons politicians rejected is the huge $19 billion price and huge ownership costs that must be completed in the United States for most of the service support.

Like Canada, South Korea wants advanced abilities. But the country set out to design and build its own next-generation fighter 15 years ago, and by chance, it wasn’t even an F-35.

There is an important difference, that is, the KF-21 has two engines, none of them.

Moreover, the Koreans are blending weapons (bombs and missiles) inside the aircraft rather than one of the key stealth features inside the weapon or on the wings.

Kai North America senior manager Jason Ahn said the design problem was designed, and the company now has six prototype aircraft. Most importantly, it has begun to fully produce jets for the South Korean Air Force and its primary development partner Indonesia.

As the Liberal government says Canada may be ready to stay away from the F-35, there is already a lot of debate in the online airline community about whether the KF-21 is a reliable alternative. As far as defense experts are concerned, the jury’s opinions are mixed together and the jury remains.

The KF-21 is part of the US $6.6 billion project that replaced South Korea’s F-4 and F-5 fighters and was touted as a “cheap” option.

“The KF-21 will be much cheaper than the fourth-generation frontline fighter,” Ahn said in an interview with the company’s manufacturing plant in Sacheon, South Korea. “This aircraft has better maintenance than other fifth-generation fighters. [such as the F-35] …We believe we have more or better flexibility in maintaining the aircraft. ”

CBC News can enter the aerospace plant in the south of the country and see the production and prototype of the KF-21. But South Korean security officials refused to allow independent photos or videos of advanced fighter jets, insisting that they could only use company images.

Ann said many countries are close to South Korea to buy planes, but he will not disclose who they may be.

Kay did not compete in Canada’s fighter race, which eventually chose the F-35 in 2022. Instead, it recently expressed interest in offering another of its native designs, the T-50 Golden Eagle, by offering Canada’s demand for training aircraft.

The company is eager to talk about that pitch and showcases the light aircraft that debuted in 2002.

Hahn said one of the appeals of the jet is that it could reroll into a light fighter if Canada needs to rapidly expand its Air Force capabilities in an emergency.

“The keyword is universal, and the FA-50 can not only be on the instructor side of the aircraft, but also on the mission side of the aircraft. It can use medium missiles and AESA radar for air-to-air missions, but also aim at Pods and Maverick Missiles and all of that with snipers.”

The company had never received a reply to its proposal late last year, so the Department of Defense was not clear about how the company received the proposal, which has introduced plans for the F-35 and all related infrastructure overhauls as planned.

Commitment issues to “Made in Canada”

If Canada’s relationship with Washington worsens further, is KF-21 or T/FA-50 a suitable alternative?

In South Korea’s defense institutions, there is a look at how a re-elected liberal government or a new Conservative government will diversify military purchases and trade.

The arrest may be justified. Talks between Canada and the United States are expected to take place in the first week of May.

On Monday, as liberal Mark Carney stressed Create a recycling program for Canadian defense procurement agencieshe was asked whether he would sacrifice his “Made in Canada” defense program to achieve a broader goal of ending the trade war with the United States and ensuring access to markets south of the border.

He did not answer this question directly.

“When you negotiate, you have to know your position. You have to know what you want. You have to be strong. You have to be clear. That’s why we have these policies. They are in Canada’s interest.”

“They are in the interests of Canadian workers. They are in the interests of Canadian security. So we will negotiate with the Americans’ strengths position.”