KF-21 First Flight Success Becomes a Hot Topic Even in the UK

[Farnborough (UK) = Ministry of National Defense Joint Press Corps, Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] At the news of the successful first test flight of South Korea's first domestically produced fighter jet, the KF-21 Boramae, aviation industry officials from around the world attending the Farnborough Airshow, the world's largest aerospace and defense industry exhibition, exclaimed "Fantastic." The KF-21 test flight video and the Korean-made light attack aircraft FA-50 showcased at the airshow booth attracted global attention.

During the Farnborough Airshow, which began on the 18th (local time), the news of the KF-21's successful maiden flight from Korea became a hot topic even in the UK. As a result, many visitors flocked to the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) promotional booth, the developer of the KF-21. Some overseas industry officials even recorded the KF-21 flight scenes shown on a large TV installed at the booth. Visitors showed great interest as they carefully examined the models of the KF-21, FA-50, Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), and the Korean Utility Helicopter ‘Surion (KUH)’ displayed in front of the KAI booth.

On the 20th, KAI President Ahn Hyun-ho said in an interview at the promotional booth, "Yesterday (the 19th), when the KF-21 succeeded in its first flight, was a historic day for South Korea's aerospace industry." President Ahn added, "KAI plans to do its utmost to ensure the perfect success of the KF-21 through over 2,200 sorties (flight tests) in the future."

Martin Walther, a representative from a German defense company, congratulated the KF-21's first flight success, saying, "It is a very happy and significant achievement for the people working at KAI," and added, "It is very impressive that KAI accomplished this (first flight) on schedule."

During the airshow, the FA-50, for which KAI presented an ambitious plan to sell 1,000 units worldwide, also attracted attention. Air force commanders from Colombia and Malaysia, potential customers of the FA-50, visited the KAI booth and held on-site discussions. KAI is putting all its efforts into promoting the expansion of FA-50 exports, which can be deployed for both training and combat.

Shin Jong-woo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense Security Forum, who visited the Farnborough Airshow, said, "Looking at the FA-50 model installed at the promotional booth, it is noticeable that it is equipped with aerial refueling and optical targeting devices." Shin emphasized the significance of KAI's direction to meet the performance requirements of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries, such as increasing the FA-50's range.

Regarding this, President Ahn said, "The Korean aerospace industry and KAI are facing a tremendous opportunity," adding, "At this Farnborough Airshow, we presented the FA-50 that meets NATO concepts. We will use this opportunity to enter the European market and create opportunities to export 500 units to the United States, striving to secure a dominant position for KAI in the advanced trainer market."

The day before, pilots from the Air Force's special flight team, the Black Eagles, who are promoting the excellence of the FA-50 worldwide, also visited the KAI booth. The Black Eagles operate the T-50 advanced trainer, the predecessor of the FA-50. Before the Farnborough Airshow, they swept the top awards and popularity awards at the ‘RIAT 2022’ held at RAF Fairford in the UK. When the pilots dressed in black flight suits entered the exhibition hall, which had been chilly due to record-breaking heat, the atmosphere was energized.

Major Yang Eun-ho (56th class of the Air Force Academy), pilot of the Black Eagles' number one aircraft, proudly said, "When pilots from various countries ask where the aircraft performing maneuvers for the Korean Air Force was made, I answer, 'It is an aircraft made by South Korea's KAI.'" Major Yang added, "If the numerous pilots gathered at the airshow saw our Black Eagles team performing maneuvers, they could guess how excellent the performance of the aircraft (FA-50) is."

At this Farnborough Airshow, in addition to KAI, Hanwha Systems also participated and unveiled for the first time a full-scale rotor model (large rotating blade) of the urban air mobility (UAM) ‘Butterfly’ aircraft, jointly developed with the US company Overair.

Kim Yeon-gi, a manager at Hanwha Systems, said, "We could tangibly feel the great interest in our company's aerospace field, UAM, and advanced technologies related to low Earth orbit satellite communications," adding, "It was a great opportunity to showcase Hanwha Systems' innovation challenging the global market." Domestic institutions and companies such as Gyeongnam, Incheon, and Daejeon Technoparks also set up promotional booths at the Farnborough Airshow exhibition hall to highlight the potential of the emerging Korean aerospace industry.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.