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.

 

[Pad UwU]

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.

Good suggestion bruh... developing AMCA is just waste of time. Just buy kf21 in big numbers or get rights of putting our own electronics init like what Israel have frome f35i adir version

 

[Pad UwU]

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

Kf21 mk1 is already said a cheaper version of 4.5gen with some 5gen characteristics
While it's mk2 version would be having an internal bay and be now called a 5gen....
Mk3 might be the real deal and can be line up with f35's capabilities....

Unlike AMCA it's still a delulu dream on paper 😹😹😹

 

[CCPSmasher]

Not to forget , most of technology from USA & NATO...

It's like 20% their tech and rest of NATO

Who cares. It's flying and working. St00pid cvnt like you pretend like our fighters like Tejas is all inhouse solutions in its entirety.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

Not quite. East Asia has a lot of powerhouses when seen from a global perspective. Indeed, the only nation that isn't a powerhouse in that region is North Korea.

You mentioned North Korea has nuclear weapons and ICBMs. You do realise that in a war, South Korea knows that they would be facing massive levels of casualties, right? They have taken steps to the best of their ability to counter that. As for North Korea, however, take away their 10 nukes and 50 ICBMs, and what you have is something even Bangladesh or Bhikraistan could run over.

I am not a fan of NK , but you should know that NK has a very recent history of nuclear weapons, roughly about a decade ago. Even before that ,US has to deploy about 28,000 American forces on South Korea to defend it . US fighting side by side with South Korean forces had to sign only an armistice, not a peace treaty with NK in 1953 .It is true that South Korea is working hard on technology front and has a growing economy but still far from being an independent power . Its status in the region is only of American protectorate nation.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

Why only 6th gen, dreams have no limits, be generous and call it 1000th or even millionth gen.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

For that we are not spending $40Bln.