South Korea launches $3.4B program for new 16,000lb fighter engine

South Korea has committed approximately $3.4 billion (W3.4 trillion) to develop an indigenous fighter jet engine producing 16,000 pounds of military thrust and 24,000 pounds with afterburners. The Advanced Aviation Engine Development Project, scheduled from 2027 to 2040, aims to create a prototype engine, conduct testing and certification, and prepare for integration into domestically produced fighter jets. This engine is intended to power the KF-21 Block 3 fighter, expected to enter service around 2040, marking the first South Korean fighter to fly with a fully domestic engine. The new engine targets a 15% reduction in specific fuel consumption compared to the General Electric F414 engine currently used in earlier KF-21 variants. To ensure effective program management, South Korea has established an inter-ministerial coordination body involving defense, industry, and aviation authorities to avoid delays seen in past aerospace projects. Hanwha Aerospace will lead industrial development, leveraging its experience with licensed