Hanwha Aerospace Partners Up to Fuel the KF-21 Fighter with Advanced Engine Technology

Hanwha Aerospace, the leading aerospace and defense company in South Korea, announced today that it has secured a deal with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the delivery of the initial production engines for the KF-21 fighter aircraft. The contract is estimated at around USD 401 million (556 billion KRW). This agreement extends from June 2024 to December 2027, during which Hanwha Aerospace is set to provide over 40 F414 engines along with auxiliary units for the KF-21, additionally offering engine maintenance documentation and on-site technical support.

The supplied engines will be employed in the first production run of the KF-21, as Hanwha Aerospace is committed to delivering engines until the completion of the KF-21 production phase, being the nation’s exclusive fabricator of aircraft engines.

With a rich history of producing more than 10,000 engines over the past 45 years, Hanwha Aerospace is committed to ensuring the timely delivery of the KF-21 engines. The company is also focusing on elevating its technical prowess and developing an industrial ecosystem that promotes the implementation of cutting-edge aviation engines created through Korea’s homegrown technology.

Since 1979, Hanwha Aerospace has provided engines for Korean military aviation, including the F-4, KF-5, KF-16, F-15K, and T-50, through international licensed production. The F414 engine designated for the KF-21 will be produced at the firm’s Changwon Plant 1, using a license from GE Aerospace.

This agreement represents a significant step forward for Hanwha Aerospace’s ambitions to advance next-generation engine technologies. The organization is actively involved in research and development for 6th generation engine technology, placing itself at the leading edge of global aerospace innovation.

A spokesperson from Hanwha Aerospace remarked, “As South Korea’s one and only specialized aircraft engine producer, we are committed to delivering premium engines efficiently. We will dedicate all our resources to nurturing independent aviation engine technology for national security and securing future growth opportunities for Korea.”