DAPA has signed a deal with Hanwha Aerospace for the acquisition of locally assembled F414-GE-400K engines for 40 KF-21 fighters’ full-rate production.
Defense Mirror reported that the deal worth $1.65 billion for 80 F414-GE-400K engines has a delivery date starting from mid-2026. By 2028, 40 KF-21 fighters with the engines are planned to become operational.
Hanwha Aerospace is cooperating with General Electric on F414-GE-400K engines adapted for KF-21 with joint production and local assembly.
Future Engine for KF-21
The later batches of KF-21 are planned to have an engine based on F414, also a joint work of Hanwha Aerospace and GE Aerospace, to provide more thrust. KF-21 Block III is set to fly with the new engine, which might allow super-cruise capability.
TurDef previously learned that the frame is based on F414, but rotating sections will introduce a new design to both improve thrust and efficiency. Thus, the engine can be considered similar to the proposed F414 EPE aimed at providing similar gains.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
