Korea's KF21 Falcon fighter jet, which is about to go into mass production, has been boasting that it is a fifth-generation aircraft! Although the appearance of the KF21 fighter jet looks like a fifth-generation aircraft, it is actually modeled after the American F22 fighter jet, but its stealth performance does not reach the level of fifth-generation aircraft of China, the United States, and Russia. The KF21 fighter jet does not even have an internal weapons bay, and can only partially embed air-to-air missiles under the fuselage, its stealth performance is only slightly better than fourth-generation aircraft, and it cannot even match the stealth performance of the Russian Su-57 fighter jet!
The South Korean Air Force has some self-awareness, the main purpose of the KF21 fighter jet is not to serve as a stealth aircraft, in the case where South Korea has already introduced the US-made F35 fighter jet, the KF21 fighter jet is used to replace the current F16 and F15 fourth-generation aircraft.
The South Korean Falcon fighter jet should be somewhat capable, but it cannot reach the level of the US F35 and F22 fighter jets. However, among fourth-generation aircraft, it should have some strength, although it may not be very strong, at least it should be stronger than the F15 and F16 fighter jets. This is no big problem, otherwise it would not be able to replace these American fourth-generation aircraft. Another point is that Poland and Indonesia are planning to purchase the Falcon fighter jet, which is somewhat capable, at least it is stronger than Turkey's so-called Khan fighter jet.
Moreover, the Falcon fighter jet can achieve mass production, the materials and supply chain are all helped by the United States, so there is no problem for South Korea to mass-produce the Falcon fighter jet, but it is almost impossible for Turkey to mass-produce the Khan fighter jet. Although South Korea exaggerates on the Internet and boasts about being the first in strength, it actually has some capabilities.
Looking at the front lines of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, there are a large number of South Korean artillery pieces and shells, as well as various advanced equipment, which shows that South Korea's strength is quite good. Moreover, South Korea faces pressure from North Korea, if weapon development is just for show, it would not be possible, it must be used for actual combat.
The best place where South Korea has done is to truly recognize America as a father figure, trying every means to please the father. The country of Japan has a three-hearted attitude towards the United States, always wanting to take revenge against the United States, but South Korea has no such idea. If the US military stationed in Japan were to withdraw, Japan would be overjoyed, but if the US military stationed in South Korea were to withdraw, South Korea would definitely strongly oppose it, this is the difference between Japan and South Korea. Japan really doesn't need the US military stationed in Japan, while South Korea really needs the US military stationed in South Korea, which is determined by the different conditions of Japan and South Korea.
The Falcon fighter jet has certain capabilities, it may have obtained partial technical authorization from the United States, but it does not reach the level of a fifth-generation aircraft, but it should have the strength to exceed the Rafale fighter jet. However, the Falcon fighter jet is absolutely not a fifth-generation aircraft, it can only be considered a fourth-generation aircraft or even a fourth-and-a-half generation aircraft, since it does not have an internal weapons bay, it can never be considered a fifth-generation aircraft, this must be clearly stated.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838035829843971/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.