Concentrated on the KF-21 fighter jet, the Republic of Korea and the UAE have signed a strategic cooperation agreement for future joint exercises and collaboration. A letter of intent to increase bilateral cooperation on the KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft has been signed by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF). This deal expresses the desire to encourage the two air forces’ cooperation. Major General Rashed Al Shamsi, commander of the United Arab Emirates Air Force, visited Sacheon to sign the deal. General Lee Young-su, his Korean equivalent, hosted the trip. The arrangement allows the UAEAF to watch future twin-engine fighter practice, hence indicating possible interoperability. The agreement describes a wide cooperative framework between the two countries on the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) next-generation fighter platform. During the visit, UAE Air Warfare Centre Commander Brigadier General Azzan Alnuaimi did a rear-seat sortie in a dual-seat KF-21 prototype. Among the six KF-21s currently in the test fleet, two are configured as twin-seaters.
UAE Seeks to Diversify Air Power
The UAE has consistently pursued diversified procurement to bolster its Air Force capabilities. Abu Dhabi has bought 80 Dassault Rafale jets from France in recent years and formerly obtained U.S. official clearance for 50 F-35As in late 2020. The agreement, nevertheless, fell under President Joe Biden’s administration. Though Beijing’s intent to sell the stealth plane is still unknown, the Gulf country has expressed interest in alternative platforms, including China’s Chengdu J-20, in the interim. The UAE inked a contract in late 2023 for a dozen Hongdu L-15 jet trainers, confirming increasing connections with Chinese defence companies.
At the same time, the UAE has shown interest in Turkiye’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter. TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu said during IDEX 2025 that the UAE is actively looking into cooperation on both KAAN and the ANKA III unmanned combat aircraft. “We expect renewed momentum,” Demiroğlu noted, adding, “Our goal is not limited to ANKA III. We aim to co-develop a completely new platform, and the UAE is open to this approach.” The UAE’s engagement with both KF-21 and KAAN signals a broader strategy to gain early influence in the development of future air combat systems and secure long-term industrial partnerships across Asia and the Middle East.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
