Its maximum take-off weight will be 25,600 kg.
LIMA /Peru/, October 31. /tass/. The South Korean KF-21 fighter, which is an analogue of the newest Russian single-engine combat aircraft Checkmate, is presented for the first time in Latin America at the SITDEF 2021 arms exhibition, held in Lima (Peru), a TASS correspondent reports from the scene.
The presentation of the KF-21 was the first demonstration of this combat aircraft in the Latin American region. As noted in the materials, its maximum take-off weight will be 25,600 kg. The aircraft will be able to reach speeds of up to 2,200 km/h and be equipped with a payload of up to 7,700 kg. Unlike Checkmate, the South Korean fighter is equipped with two engines with a total thrust of 20 thousand kg.
The presentation notes that the KF-21 will be able to carry weapons at 10 suspension points, and will also receive a radar station with an active phased array antenna. The KF-21 fighter will be delivered in single and double configurations.
For the first time, the Checkmate light tactical aircraft was presented at the MAKS-2021 air show by the United Aircraft Corporation (part of Rostec State Corporation). It is planned that it will compete with the American F-35A Lightning II fighter and the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen. Checkmate uses all the most advanced developments, including an open architecture for building in the interests of the customer and unique artificial intelligence technologies. The fighter is expected to make its first flight in 2023.
The International Salon of Defense Technologies SITDEF 2021 is held until October 31 at the general Headquarters of the Army in Lima. The exhibition has been held every two years since 2007.
