South Korea, India Race to Develop Homegrown Stealth Fighters

In a display of rising technological prowess and military ambition, South Korea and India are locked in a race to develop their own advanced 5th-generation fighter jets.

The KF-21 Boramae ("Hawk") and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), as their respective programs are known, aim to bolster national security and propel both nations into an elite group of countries capable of producing cutting-edge military aircraft.

Drive for Self-Reliance​

A core motivation for both programs is reducing dependence on foreign arms suppliers. By developing their own 5th-generation fighters, South Korea and India seek greater control over their defense capabilities and a boost to their domestic aerospace industries.

Cutting-Edge Ambitions​

Both the KF-21 and AMCA are designed to incorporate the hallmarks of 5th-generation fighters: stealth, supercruise abilities (sustained supersonic flight), and advanced sensors.

These characteristics, coupled with their intended multi-role capabilities, promise to give both nations a significant edge in regional air combat.

Collaboration and Challenges​

While the drive for self-reliance is strong, international partnerships play a role. Indonesia is a partner in the KF-21 program, while India explores potential technology collaborations for its AMCA.

Both nations, however, face the daunting challenge of developing advanced engine technology and stealth materials – hurdles that may necessitate foreign assistance or significant domestic investment.

National Needs, Subtle Differences​

Specific threats and operational environments will shape the final designs. The AMCA, for example, might prioritize agility for operations in the mountainous Himalayan region, while the KF-21 could focus on the extended range needed for potential East China Sea conflicts.

Where Things Stand​

South Korea's KF-21 appears slightly ahead, having conducted successful test flights. India's AMCA is still in earlier development phases. Ultimately, overcoming technical obstacles, securing funding, and maintaining political will shall determine the success of these ambitious endeavors.

 

[Hari Sud]

Is South Korea a real regional power or the author got his grammar wrong.

 

[sanket]

KF-21 Block -3 is 5th Gen Fighter, while AMCA MK2 will b 6th Gen Features upgraded. atlast AMCA will b step ahead at the end.Most of the Tech is Being developed on its own while Korea is taking help of western countries.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Not slide, but 10 years behind. Their production will start from 2025-26.amca is still 10 years away from full scale production.unless some miracles happen. Thats ok. Our full focus should be on tejas mk2 and its timely development.

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

All 5th gen fighters look very similar due to physics & aerodynamics requirement

 

[Anant]

Is South Korea a real regional power or the author got his grammar wrong.

South Korea is a regional powerhouse at the very least. Then again, East Asia mostly is made up of powerhouse only.

 

[Akshat]

Not slide, but 10 years behind. Their production will start from 2025-26.amca is still 10 years away from full scale production.unless some miracles happen. Thats ok. Our full focus should be on tejas mk2 and its timely development.

We have already missed Mk2’s deadlines. So timely development is not possible.

As for 2035, even Mk2 won’t be inducted by then, forget AMCA.

 

[Hari Sud]

South Korea is a regional powerhouse at the very least. Then again, East Asia mostly is made up of powerhouse only.

How many powerhouses you need with 500 miles of each other.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Noice, they will both also use same GE-F414 engines.

Looking at HAL's propensity to promise the moon but deliver a lemon. India should buy KF-21 instead and rename them as HAL AMCA Mk-1A.

Kisi ko pataa bhi nahin chalega.

 

[sanket]

Noice, they will both also use same GE-F414 engines.

Looking at HAL's propensity to promise the moon but deliver a lemon. India should buy KF-21 instead and rename them as HAL AMCA Mk-1A.

Kisi ko pataa bhi nahin chalega.

Joke of the month

 

[Indranil Sarkar]

Joke of the month

Very rightly said. Realistically AMCA if at all materialized will not happen before 2040. Hal may at most develop a prototype and bask in that glory and fool the nation saying India has developed 5th gen fighter.

 

[Indranil Sarkar]

KF-21 Block -3 is 5th Gen Fighter, while AMCA MK2 will b 6th Gen Features upgraded. atlast AMCA will b step ahead at the end.Most of the Tech is Being developed on its own while Korea is taking help of western countries.

It will be 7th generation in our dreams. Let's be practical.

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

South Korea is a regional powerhouse at the very least. Then again, East Asia mostly is made up of powerhouse only.

Hehehe! South Korea is just next to China & Japan. How can you call South Korea as a regional powerhouse. Moreover, most of SK's technology is having USA IPR and critical tooling is mostly imported from USA. Where is the powerhouse in being an importer?

 

[shivkumar sinha]

South Korea is a regional powerhouse at the very least. Then again, East Asia mostly is made up of powerhouse only.

Two main adversaries of South Korea - China and North Korea -are nuclear, ICBM , Hypersonic powers with fare degree of self reliance while South Korea doesn't have those capabilities and heavily relies on US for technology, military platforms and sub systems. Comparison is erroneous.

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

Is South Korea a real regional power or the author got his grammar wrong.

You are absolutely correct. Calling South Koreas as a regional powerhouse is absurd. North Korea has nukes & ICBM, China is manufacturing powerhouse and even a superpower that produces over half the world's consumer durables. Japan is another manufacturing hub. All of these are just next to South Korea. Moreover, South Korea heavily relies on USA technology & tooling. Nothing powerful about SK

 

[PRASANTh]

Joke of the day - KF21 is "slightly" ahead, with it competing test flight and AMCA still on paper.

Yeah, AMCA is only 5hrs behind KF21.

 

[CCPSmasher]

There's a huges difference between these two programs: KF21 is already flying for instance.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

All 5th gen fighters look very similar due to physics & aerodynamics requirement

Especially due to low RCS (Radar Cross Section) or Stealth requirement

 

[Indeevar Sharma]

Major difference - KF-21 is 4.5 gen fighter whereas AMCA is 5.5 gen fighter.
KF21 does not hv internal weapon bay.

 

[amerjit johal]

Major difference - KF-21 is 4.5 gen fighter whereas AMCA is 5.5 gen fighter.
KF21 does not hv internal weapon bay.

It will have internal weapons bay from 2028.