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| Philippine Air Force Considers Acquiring South Korean KF-21 Boramae Fighter |
Manila - Even though it has just flown and is completing various tests for certification, the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has attracted the interest of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to acquire it. The KAF-21 is the latest alternative to the two fighter jets being studied, namely the US F-16V and Sweden's Saab Gripen.
As is known, the PAF is looking for a multi-role fighter jet (MRF) and will acquire at least 12 units of this type of jet. Compared to the F-16V and Gripen, the KF-21 will only be produced in 2026 and the main priority is to meet the needs of the Korean Air Force (RoKAF) first.
The various features that exist on the KF-21 become the main attraction for prospective customers to include it in the shopping list of 4.5 generation fighter aircraft. PAF spokesman Colonel Maynard Mariano said the KF-21 opportunity was open given that the MRF program had not been funded. "Possibly, given that the MRF has not been funded, the KF-21 could be a competitor to the MRF," he was quoted as saying by the PNA news agency some time ago.
If only the KF-21 would actually be acquired by Manila, Mariano said his party would push to lobby the Korean side to produce the KF-21 Boramae for the PAF in 2027-2029.
The KF-21 is powered by two General Electric (GE) F414-400K engines. The fighter aircraft that has been equipped with an AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar can carry a variety of cutting-edge weapons, including the MBDA Meteor long-range air-to-air missile.