Relations between the governments of Peru and South Korea have taken another decisive step toward supplying new fighter jets to the South American country’s air force.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and SEMAN, the Peruvian government’s aerospace company, have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding for the production of components for the new South Korean KF-21 fighter jet.
The signing ceremony was attended by Presidents Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea and Dina Boluarte of Peru.
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KAI CEO Kang Gu-young said the Peruvian Air Force may acquire not only the FA-50 light fighter but also the advanced KF-21 Boramae, which is in early series production for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
“If it acquires the KF-21 and FA-50, Peru will become the first foreign customer to have KAI’s main fixed-wing aircraft line,” Gu-young said.
Peru plans to replace its aging Soviet-era fighters, the MiG-29 and Su-25, with about 24 modern fighters.
In addition to the KF-21 and FA-50, the air force is evaluating the Dassault Rafale, the Lockheed Martin F-16 and the Saab Gripen E, recently touted as a future fighter for neighboring Colombia.
KT-1P Turboprops
The good relationship between the Peruvian and South Korean governments in the aerospace segment dates back to 2012, when the Peruvian Air Force introduced the KT-1P turboprop trainer.
At that time, SEMAN participated in the project, assembling 16 of the 20 aircraft locally.
The KT-1Ps participated in CRUZEX a few days ago, the largest military exercise on the continent, held in northern Brazil.
The KF-21 Boramae is a twin-engine 4.5 generation fighter, but it has the characteristics to become a stealth aircraft.
