The UAE and South Korea have taken a significant step towards defence cooperation by signing a letter of intent centred on the KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft. The agreement was formally signed by the Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-su and UAE Air Force Major General Rashid Mohammed al-Shamsi. It is a significant step forward in bilateral military cooperation, allowing UAE Air Force troops to participate in joint drills and training missions employing South Korea’s indigenously manufactured KF-21 fighters.
During their visit, the UAE delegation saw Korea Aerospace Industries’ facilities to observe the ongoing production of the KF-21 planes. This participation is part of Seoul’s overall strategy to strengthen defence alliances in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The KF-21 Boramae is a next-generation multirole fighter that can attain speeds of up to 2,200 km/h. It has cutting-edge technology like electronic warfare capability, an upgraded AESA radar, and compatibility with IRIS-T air-to-air missiles. Approximately 40 units are under phased production, with a further 20 scheduled after the completion of crucial system tests. The aircraft project, estimated at $5.9 billion and co-developed by Korea Aerospace Industries and Indonesian Aerospace, demonstrates significant international interest.
