The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now looking beyond its usual military partners. Instead of relying only on countries like the United States and European nations, the UAE is exploring new paths to strengthen its air force.
UAE Explores New Fighter Jet Options, Including KF-21
One of the biggest changes came after the U.S. decided not to move forward with a sale of the advanced F-35 fighter jet. This decision created tension, especially because both sides couldn’t agree on certain conditions related to the sale.
In response, the UAE has turned its attention to other options, with South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet emerging as a strong contender. This move signals the UAE’s intent to diversify its air power and explore advanced fighter platforms beyond traditional Western suppliers.
As a result, the UAE began studying other fighter jet programs, and one aircraft stood out — South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae. The name “Boramae” means “young hawk” in Korean. This fighter jet is still in development, but it promises modern features, the ability to carry different weapons, and possible technology-sharing options for countries that join the program.
In 2023, South Korea confirmed it had received a letter from the UAE showing interest in working together on the KF-21 project.
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The letter also suggested that the UAE might take over the investment share that had been promised by another country, Indonesia. This idea came up because Indonesia had been struggling to meet its payment deadlines and had asked to reduce its financial role in the project.
South Korea Strengthens Ties with UAE
The relationship between South Korea and the UAE has grown stronger in recent years. A major moment came when a high-level military group from the UAE visited South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the company behind the KF-21 jet. During the visit, a representative from the UAE even took part in a test flight of the jet, showing a serious interest in the project.
The visit wasn’t just symbolic. A letter of intent was signed, showing both countries want to cooperate more in the fields of aircraft operations and technology. This document opens the door for technical teamwork between the UAE Air Force and its South Korean counterpart. The agreement is another sign that the two nations are moving closer in defense matters.
This growing bond comes at a time when there are still open questions about Indonesia’s long-term role in the KF-21 program. Indonesia had earlier agreed to pay for 20% of the development costs, which would have allowed it to get 48 jets and access to some of the fighter’s technology.
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However, the country has delayed payments several times and recently asked for a smaller role. In 2024, South Korea agreed to lower Indonesia’s financial share to about 600 billion won (roughly 442.3 million U.S. dollars). In 2025, Indonesia once again confirmed that it will stay in the program and continue talks with South Korea.
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The possibility of the UAE joining the KF-21 fighter jet program is important. Experts believe that this could help the South Korean jet reach new markets and earn global attention. It’s not the first time the UAE has shown trust in South Korean military technology. In 2022, the UAE bought the Cheongung-II, a Korean air defense system, which showed that the country is open to defense deals with South Korea.
If the KF-21 is selected, it could become part of the UAE’s future air fleet. Right now, the UAE already flies U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and is replacing its older Mirage 2000 planes with French-made Rafale jets. That means there is room for a new fighter jet to either replace or work alongside the F-16s.
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One of the reasons why the KF-21 is being taken seriously is because of what it offers. It is designed with the latest technology and can be upgraded over time. It’s also more flexible in terms of what weapons it can carry. Most importantly, countries that join the program might get access to some of the technology used in the jet. This stands in contrast to the U.S., which has strict rules about sharing technology related to its F-35 jet.
At the moment, there is no official deal between South Korea and the UAE to work on the KF-21 together. However, discussions are active. Officials from South Korea’s defense office have said that they see the talks as a great chance to take the KF-21 beyond its original plans with Indonesia.
They also noted that Indonesia is still officially part of the program, and talks with that country are ongoing. But they added that moving the KF-21 project into its production stage may depend on whether new partners like the UAE decide to get involved.
Right now, South Korea is trying to make the KF-21 project a success by building strong relationships with countries that want modern, affordable, and flexible fighter jets. The UAE’s interest has given the program new energy, especially as countries around the world are looking for options beyond traditional defense suppliers.