South Korean defense company Hanwha unveiled a prototype engine design this week, claiming it could be ready to power the KF-21 fighter and unmanned systems within the next decade.
The engine, a model of which was showcased at the Farnborough Airshow, has recently completed its conceptual design phase. If Hanwha successfully transitions from concept to production, it will accomplish a significant technical achievement: creating a complex, domestically produced military jet engine. Hanwha is positioning this engine as a competitor to the General Electric F414 engine, which is employed on the Boeing F/A-18 and the domestically produced KIA KF-21 fighter. The company aims to eventually replace the F414 in the KF-21 with its domestic engine, which it believes could be ready in under ten years, especially with potential international co-development partnerships.
An official from Hanwha told Breaking Defense that the engine features a six-stage compressor, one fewer than the F414, and boasts a thrust range of 15,000-18,000 pounds, with a maximum of up to 24,000 pounds when the afterburner is engaged. While the prototype does not employ any 3D printing technology, the official mentioned that this could be an option for future designs.
Interestingly, the company also displayed the engine as a potential powerplant for naval vessels, indicating that the core technology might be adaptable for maritime applications in the future, contingent upon success in testing.
The official did not elaborate on the possibility of exporting the engine in the future; however, if Hanwha can prove its effectiveness, there could be significant interest abroad. Defense exports have become increasingly vital for Hanwha, with major weapon systems now sold to various countries including Poland, Norway, Turkey, Finland, Estonia, the UK, Egypt, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. Notably, Poland has made substantial purchases of weapons from Hanwha, including K9 howitzers, Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS), and components of the T/FA-50 trainer since 2022, while Australia committed to acquiring the Redback infantry fighting vehicle in 2023.
