South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace Pursues Indigenous Fighter Jet Engine Development With Government Support
South Korea is advancing its indigenous fighter jet engine development led by Hanwha Aerospace, supported by 3.35 trillion won ($2.26 billion) from the government. The initiative aims to enhance defense autonomy, featuring a turbofan engine with a target thrust of 16,000 pounds for the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, and a turboprop engine for drones by 2028. The domestic jet engine sector aims to reach a $5 billion market by 2030, reflecting ongoing military modernization efforts.
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South Korea is developing indigenous fighter jet engines led by Hanwha Aerospace in collaboration with government agencies. This initiative aims for defense autonomy, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Hanwha revealed prototypes at the ADEX trade show, targeting a turbofan engine with 15,000 pounds of thrust for integration into the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. The project, backed by 3.35 trillion won ($2.26 billion) funding from 2027 to 2040, aims for a turbofan with 16,000 pounds thrust, increasing to 24,000 pounds with afterburner for future KF-21 variants.
Hanwha is also pursuing a 1,400-horsepower turboprop engine for drones by 2028. A new production site in Changwon will support F414 assembly. The KF-21 program is advancing, with Block-II expected by early 2027. The domestic jet engine sector aims for $5 billion by 2030, driven by military modernization and inter-ministerial coordination.
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