UK tries to help South Korea avoid US veto on KF-21 export by replacing F414 engine with British one
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As reported by the Financial Times on June 23, 2025, the United Kingdom has launched a high-level lobbying effort aimed at persuading South Korea to switch from General Electric’s F414 engine to a new joint engine development effort with Rolls-Royce for the next generation of KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. This initiative is seen as a strategic move by London to deepen industrial defense ties with one of the world’s top ten arms exporters while simultaneously revitalizing its own defense manufacturing base.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
U.S. export restrictions, attached to the GE F414 engines currently used in the KF-21, have complicated South Korea’s ambitions to sell its new fighter jet to key customers such as the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. (Picture source: KAI)
At the core of the issue are the ongoing U.S. export restrictions attached to the GE F414 engines currently used in the KF-21, which have impeded South Korea’s ambitions to sell the fighter to key customers such as the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. These restrictions, linked to U.S. national security policies, have become a significant obstacle for Seoul as it attempts to expand its defense exports and reduce reliance on U.S.-controlled technologies.
Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s leading defense company and current license producer of the F414-GE-400K engine for the KF-21, has partnered with the government to explore indigenous engine development. The company’s aero systems chief, Kwangmin Lee, stated that Hanwha aims to produce a domestically developed fighter jet engine by 2036, with at least $3.7 billion in projected development costs. Hanwha argues that its experience in building engines under license, developing small propulsion systems, and maintaining a strong domestic supply chain supports the feasibility of this timeline. It also plans to triple its number of engineers to 600 and construct a $30 million factory in South Korea while establishing overseas R&D centers in the United States and Europe. Hanwha claims it can surpass the F414’s thrust and fuel efficiency in a future powerplant for upgraded KF-21 variants, potentially entering mass production in the mid-2030s and targeting markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
However, South Korean analysts and international defense experts remain divided on whether Hanwha and Doosan Enerbility can independently meet the technological demands of a modern high-thrust fighter engine within the target timeframe. Given this skepticism, the British government has stepped in to propose Rolls-Royce as a co-development partner, offering an intermediary step before full domestic capability is achieved. British officials argue that such a collaboration would de-risk the program, expedite development, and establish a durable industrial relationship. Rolls-Royce has publicly expressed interest in contributing to other nations’ combat aircraft capabilities and is simultaneously pursuing a similar co-development deal with India for the AMCA program. While Rolls-Royce has not commented officially on the KF-21 project, it has emphasized the strategic benefits of co-creating intellectual property, allowing partner countries to maintain full operational sovereignty and export flexibility.
Despite the potential benefits, geopolitical challenges remain. South Korea’s defense posture is deeply intertwined with its decades-old alliance with the United States. Hanwha is currently bidding for U.S. Navy shipbuilding contracts and maintenance work on American aircraft based in Asia. Seoul also sees defense procurement as a diplomatic lever to manage its $55 billion trade surplus with Washington. General Electric, for its part, has reaffirmed its commitment to South Korea and expressed interest in continuing its involvement in the KF-21 project. GE’s extensive history in the country spans more than 60 years, and it has recently finalized agreements with India to co-produce the F414 for the Tejas Mk 2 and the AMCA. However, GE reportedly plans to withhold a portion of the intellectual property due to U.S. national security constraints, in contrast with Rolls-Royce and France’s Safran, both of which are offering full technology transfers in their own fighter engine bids to India. As of June 2025, GE Aerospace remains officially committed to the KF‑21 programme, stating it has been a trusted partner in Korea for over 60 years. Rolls-Royce has not issued a formal statement but, through UK officials, expresses strong interest in co-developing a new engine with South Korea, emphasizing full intellectual property transfer and long-term partnership. Finally, Hanwha Aerospace, backed by DAPA, is officially advancing with licensed production of the GE F414 through 2027 and pursuing its own indigenous engine development programme, aiming for a new fighter‑class powerplant by 2036
The General Electric F414-GE-400K is a twin-spool afterburning turbofan engine currently powering the KF-21. It delivers 98 kN of thrust in afterburner and approximately 65.7 kN in dry thrust, with a 9:1 thrust-to-weight ratio and a 30:1 pressure ratio. The engine is derived from the earlier F404 and has been improved with advanced digital controls, blisks, and hot-section materials. It remains one of the most widely adopted engines in its class, equipping fighters such as the F/A-18E/F, Saab Gripen E, and HAL Tejas Mk 2. However, its export is tightly regulated by U.S. authorities, limiting re-export options for aircraft equipped with it. Although Hanwha is assembling these engines under license in Korea, full autonomy remains restricted by intellectual property and export licensing concerns. The Enhanced Performance Engine (F414-EPE) variant offers up to 117 kN of thrust with an improved 11:1 thrust-to-weight ratio, but it remains under development and is not yet available for operational platforms like the KF-21.
Rolls-Royce’s proposal does not center on selling an off-the-shelf engine like the EJ200, which powers the Eurofighter Typhoon, but rather on co-developing a new engine that could surpass the F414 in terms of both thrust and efficiency. This proposed engine, which may also benefit from technological synergies with the UK-Japan-Italy Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), would be built from the ground up with South Korean partners and would include full intellectual property transfer. Rolls-Royce has offered a similar model to India for its AMCA fighter, with a target thrust level of around 110 kN. Unlike the F414, this new design would be free from U.S. export restrictions and could be integrated into aircraft offered to a broader set of international customers. The engine could incorporate technologies from Rolls-Royce’s Tempest demonstrator, potentially including adaptive cycle features, advanced cooling methods, and new materials to support extended durability and supercruise capability.
South Korea has also indicated interest in developing a local engine with thrust levels higher than the F414, in the 110 to 120 kN range, to enable upgraded KF-21 variants or a future fifth-generation design. The F414’s dry thrust and overall performance are sufficient for a mid-range twin-engine fighter, but future requirements, especially for enhanced payload and range, may demand a more powerful and fuel-efficient powerplant. A co-developed engine with Rolls-Royce could be tailored to meet these emerging needs and structured to avoid third-party licensing constraints. Given that the F414 was designed for a heavier carrier-based platform, South Korea may also benefit from an engine optimized for lighter land-based multirole use with better fuel economy and lower lifecycle costs. Moreover, British proposals are reportedly aligned with South Korea’s push to move up the defense value chain by mastering propulsion technologies—one of the last remaining hurdles in indigenous fighter development.
The engine decision will ultimately shape the operational, economic, and diplomatic future of the KF-21 program. While the F414 remains reliable and proven, its limitations in terms of intellectual property access and export control have become increasingly problematic for South Korea’s export ambitions. Rolls-Royce’s offer presents an alternative that promises greater technological sovereignty and long-term partnership. Both engines represent mature engineering traditions, but their implications for industrial policy diverge sharply. South Korea’s deliberations will need to balance near-term feasibility with long-term strategic autonomy, especially given the fact that the F414 maintains its dominance in the ~100 kN class through widespread deployment, continual upgrades (EDE/EPE), and strong integration across numerous fighter programs. Therefore, the choice of the jet engine is no longer just a technical decision, but has started to become a statement about where a country intends to position itself within the global defense industry.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
As reported by the Financial Times on June 23, 2025, the United Kingdom has launched a high-level lobbying effort aimed at persuading South Korea to switch from General Electric’s F414 engine to a new joint engine development effort with Rolls-Royce for the next generation of KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. This initiative is seen as a strategic move by London to deepen industrial defense ties with one of the world’s top ten arms exporters while simultaneously revitalizing its own defense manufacturing base.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
U.S. export restrictions, attached to the GE F414 engines currently used in the KF-21, have complicated South Korea’s ambitions to sell its new fighter jet to key customers such as the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. (Picture source: KAI)
At the core of the issue are the ongoing U.S. export restrictions attached to the GE F414 engines currently used in the KF-21, which have impeded South Korea’s ambitions to sell the fighter to key customers such as the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. These restrictions, linked to U.S. national security policies, have become a significant obstacle for Seoul as it attempts to expand its defense exports and reduce reliance on U.S.-controlled technologies.
Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s leading defense company and current license producer of the F414-GE-400K engine for the KF-21, has partnered with the government to explore indigenous engine development. The company’s aero systems chief, Kwangmin Lee, stated that Hanwha aims to produce a domestically developed fighter jet engine by 2036, with at least $3.7 billion in projected development costs. Hanwha argues that its experience in building engines under license, developing small propulsion systems, and maintaining a strong domestic supply chain supports the feasibility of this timeline. It also plans to triple its number of engineers to 600 and construct a $30 million factory in South Korea while establishing overseas R&D centers in the United States and Europe. Hanwha claims it can surpass the F414’s thrust and fuel efficiency in a future powerplant for upgraded KF-21 variants, potentially entering mass production in the mid-2030s and targeting markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
However, South Korean analysts and international defense experts remain divided on whether Hanwha and Doosan Enerbility can independently meet the technological demands of a modern high-thrust fighter engine within the target timeframe. Given this skepticism, the British government has stepped in to propose Rolls-Royce as a co-development partner, offering an intermediary step before full domestic capability is achieved. British officials argue that such a collaboration would de-risk the program, expedite development, and establish a durable industrial relationship. Rolls-Royce has publicly expressed interest in contributing to other nations’ combat aircraft capabilities and is simultaneously pursuing a similar co-development deal with India for the AMCA program. While Rolls-Royce has not commented officially on the KF-21 project, it has emphasized the strategic benefits of co-creating intellectual property, allowing partner countries to maintain full operational sovereignty and export flexibility.
Despite the potential benefits, geopolitical challenges remain. South Korea’s defense posture is deeply intertwined with its decades-old alliance with the United States. Hanwha is currently bidding for U.S. Navy shipbuilding contracts and maintenance work on American aircraft based in Asia. Seoul also sees defense procurement as a diplomatic lever to manage its $55 billion trade surplus with Washington. General Electric, for its part, has reaffirmed its commitment to South Korea and expressed interest in continuing its involvement in the KF-21 project. GE’s extensive history in the country spans more than 60 years, and it has recently finalized agreements with India to co-produce the F414 for the Tejas Mk 2 and the AMCA. However, GE reportedly plans to withhold a portion of the intellectual property due to U.S. national security constraints, in contrast with Rolls-Royce and France’s Safran, both of which are offering full technology transfers in their own fighter engine bids to India. As of June 2025, GE Aerospace remains officially committed to the KF‑21 programme, stating it has been a trusted partner in Korea for over 60 years. Rolls-Royce has not issued a formal statement but, through UK officials, expresses strong interest in co-developing a new engine with South Korea, emphasizing full intellectual property transfer and long-term partnership. Finally, Hanwha Aerospace, backed by DAPA, is officially advancing with licensed production of the GE F414 through 2027 and pursuing its own indigenous engine development programme, aiming for a new fighter‑class powerplant by 2036
The General Electric F414-GE-400K is a twin-spool afterburning turbofan engine currently powering the KF-21. It delivers 98 kN of thrust in afterburner and approximately 65.7 kN in dry thrust, with a 9:1 thrust-to-weight ratio and a 30:1 pressure ratio. The engine is derived from the earlier F404 and has been improved with advanced digital controls, blisks, and hot-section materials. It remains one of the most widely adopted engines in its class, equipping fighters such as the F/A-18E/F, Saab Gripen E, and HAL Tejas Mk 2. However, its export is tightly regulated by U.S. authorities, limiting re-export options for aircraft equipped with it. Although Hanwha is assembling these engines under license in Korea, full autonomy remains restricted by intellectual property and export licensing concerns. The Enhanced Performance Engine (F414-EPE) variant offers up to 117 kN of thrust with an improved 11:1 thrust-to-weight ratio, but it remains under development and is not yet available for operational platforms like the KF-21.
Rolls-Royce’s proposal does not center on selling an off-the-shelf engine like the EJ200, which powers the Eurofighter Typhoon, but rather on co-developing a new engine that could surpass the F414 in terms of both thrust and efficiency. This proposed engine, which may also benefit from technological synergies with the UK-Japan-Italy Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), would be built from the ground up with South Korean partners and would include full intellectual property transfer. Rolls-Royce has offered a similar model to India for its AMCA fighter, with a target thrust level of around 110 kN. Unlike the F414, this new design would be free from U.S. export restrictions and could be integrated into aircraft offered to a broader set of international customers. The engine could incorporate technologies from Rolls-Royce’s Tempest demonstrator, potentially including adaptive cycle features, advanced cooling methods, and new materials to support extended durability and supercruise capability.
South Korea has also indicated interest in developing a local engine with thrust levels higher than the F414, in the 110 to 120 kN range, to enable upgraded KF-21 variants or a future fifth-generation design. The F414’s dry thrust and overall performance are sufficient for a mid-range twin-engine fighter, but future requirements, especially for enhanced payload and range, may demand a more powerful and fuel-efficient powerplant. A co-developed engine with Rolls-Royce could be tailored to meet these emerging needs and structured to avoid third-party licensing constraints. Given that the F414 was designed for a heavier carrier-based platform, South Korea may also benefit from an engine optimized for lighter land-based multirole use with better fuel economy and lower lifecycle costs. Moreover, British proposals are reportedly aligned with South Korea’s push to move up the defense value chain by mastering propulsion technologies—one of the last remaining hurdles in indigenous fighter development.
The engine decision will ultimately shape the operational, economic, and diplomatic future of the KF-21 program. While the F414 remains reliable and proven, its limitations in terms of intellectual property access and export control have become increasingly problematic for South Korea’s export ambitions. Rolls-Royce’s offer presents an alternative that promises greater technological sovereignty and long-term partnership. Both engines represent mature engineering traditions, but their implications for industrial policy diverge sharply. South Korea’s deliberations will need to balance near-term feasibility with long-term strategic autonomy, especially given the fact that the F414 maintains its dominance in the ~100 kN class through widespread deployment, continual upgrades (EDE/EPE), and strong integration across numerous fighter programs. Therefore, the choice of the jet engine is no longer just a technical decision, but has started to become a statement about where a country intends to position itself within the global defense industry.
