South Korea’s Hanwha Systems has commenced mass production of its first active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, built to equip the country’s KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. The unveiling at the firm’s Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, testing hub represents a major step forward in the nation’s bid to advance its indigenous fighter avionics technology.
Under an existing agreement, the South Korean government will acquire up to 40 AESA radar units, all slated for delivery by 2028. These will be installed on the KF-21 combat aircraft currently under development by Korea Aerospace Industries, a platform expected to become the backbone of the nation’s air defense in the coming decades.
The Yongin site, inaugurated in 2024, is equipped with a Near-Field Chamber capable of testing four airborne radar systems at once. This advanced facility allows engineers to measure and refine key AESA performance parameters, ensuring each radar meets the operational demands of modern air combat.
