Defence & Space

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

The Department of National Defense of the Philippines has signed a contract with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries for…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

The Department of National Defense of the Philippines has signed a contract with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries for…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Patria AMV XP 8×8 with TURRA 30 Turret

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, Finnish company Patria Oyj showcased its…

2025-05-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

The Department of National Defense of the Philippines has signed a contract with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries for…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Leonardo and Weststar Join Forces to Supply Helicopters to Malaysia

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Italian company Leonardo and Malaysian firm Weststar…

2025-05-20 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

The Department of National Defense of the Philippines has signed a contract with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries for…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA

Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met with Deputy Minister of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA),…

2025-05-14 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Japanese IHI Corporation are beginning cooperation in the construction of a constellation of up to 24…

2025-05-22 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

South Korea: Final Assembly of the First Serial KF-21 Block I

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that final assembly has begun at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) facility in Sacheon for the first of 20 serially produced KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter jets in the Block I variant.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) under the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea announced that a ceremony was held at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) facility in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, to mark the launch of the final assembly process for the first of 20 serially produced KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter jets in the Block I configuration.

Illustrative photo: KF-21 Prototype / Photo: KAI

The event, organized by the Future Power Division of DAPA, was attended by DAPA Minister Seok Jonggun, as well as representatives from the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, and companies involved in the KF-X (Korean Fighter eXperimental) program, including Hanwha Aerospace, which supplies the F414-400K engines, each providing 57.8 kN of thrust (97.9 kN with afterburner).

On June 25, 2024, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that DAPA had signed a contract worth 1.96 trillion KRW with KAI to launch the low-rate initial production of 20 KF-21 Boramae (hawk in Korean) fighter jets. The agreement also includes continued logistical and training support.

The initial work began on July 10 following a production planning meeting. It involved machining of small components, manufacturing of key parts, and assembly of the front, center, and rear fuselage sections. The first KF-21 Block I unit has now entered the final phase of assembly.

This phase includes assembly of the airframe by joining the fuselage, wings, engine nacelles, landing gear, tail assembly, and flight control systems. This is followed by the installation of electronic systems, engines, and other components, and the execution of basic onboard systems tests. This stage marks a significant milestone in the aircraft production process.

As emphasized by DAPA, today’s event is significant as it serves as an official confirmation to the public and the nation that the production of KF-21 aircraft is progressing smoothly. It signals that the KF-21 has completed its development phase and reached a major milestone, moving closer to final completion. This is expected to have a positive impact on future export negotiations.

DAPA is steadily managing the low-rate initial production program for the aircraft, drawing on the experience and technological achievements gained during the system development process. The first unit, which has entered the final assembly phase, is scheduled to be delivered to the ROKAF in the second half of 2026 following acceptance testing. The final unit is expected to be delivered in 2028.

Jeong Gyu-heon, head of the Future Power Division and senior government official, said: “It is thanks to the dedicated efforts of our engineers and developers that we have reached this historic moment—the start of the final assembly of the KF-21, which will shape the future of the Republic of Korea Air Force.”

He also emphasized that for the successful mass production and deployment of the KF-21 to contribute to economic revitalization and become a driving force in elevating the status of the Republic of Korea, effective communication and organic cooperation between the government and industry, as well as among partner companies, are essential.

It is worth recalling that on March 22, 2024, during the 160th meeting of the Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee (DAPPC), operating under DAPA, a plan was announced for the low-rate initial production of KF-21 Boramae fighter jets, with a total value of 7.92 trillion KRW for the years 2024–2028. Earlier, on January 10, 2024, it was reported that the initial test evaluation of the prototypes had been successfully completed, and plans for the first orders within the year were announced. This was followed by successful aerial refueling tests and air-to-air missile firing tests with Meteor and IRIS-T missiles.

Although the initial plan called for the production of 40 KF-21 units in the air superiority Block I configuration, the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) recommended reducing the number of aircraft in low-rate production and dividing it into two phases.

The Korean-Indonesian KF-X/IF-X program (Indonesian Fighter eXperimental) has been underway since 2016. However, the partners from Jakarta have proven problematic when it comes to sharing the costs of the project. On May 6, 2024, Indonesia approached the Republic of Korea to renegotiate the terms of its financial contribution to the program. On August 26 of the same year, Korea agreed to reduce Indonesia’s stake in the program. On April 16 of this year, the United Arab Emirates expressed interest in acquiring the KF-21.

Meanwhile, KAI continues its research and development program for the KF-21 Block I, which includes around 2,000 tests using six prototypes (four single-seat and two twin-seat aircraft), which had completed over 1,000 flights by the end of 2024. The latest milestone was an aerial refueling operation conducted at night, which DAPA reported on April 9 of this year.

It is also worth noting that on December 27, 2023, South Korea ordered 20 American F-35A Lightning multirole fighter jets as part of the second phase of the F-X III program, intended to replace the F-4E Phantom II aircraft retired last year.

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