Fighters of the new generation projects of East Asian countries

In the foreseeable future, the ranks of countries producing fighter aircraft of 5-th and 6-th generation, may be States of East and Southeast Asia. This forecast makes the Polish edition Defence24.

The Rapid development of technology and growing military and political ambitions to push the "Asian tigers" to create their own sophisticated fighters. There is no doubt that in the first of a number of Asian States that will establish its own production of fighter 5 th and 6 th generation, will be Japan. Pacifism in this country more and more a thing of the past, and in Tokyo there is a growing desire to recreate the once very strong armed forces of the Empire.
For 2020, Japan has budgeted defence expenditure in the amount of 48.5 billion, making the country the seventh in the world in spending on the armed forces. After the program of the fighter of the fifth generation was launched in Russia and China, in Japan also puzzled by the need to modernize its air force. Moreover, they are based on the aging F-4 Phantom II and F-15 different versions.
First, the Japanese leadership wanted to buy the F-22, but then, as a result of placing the American side very high prices, the plans had to be abandoned. Then Tokyo stopped at the F-35. According to 2019, Japan, was delivered 9 aircraft F-35A, but one of them was lost. At the end of 2018, Japan had announced plans to purchase 100 F-35, but this does not negate attempts to acquire their own fighter.
In 2020, the first of what may be Japanese aircraft of the future. The Polish newspaper writes that he will be more like YF-23 Northrop Grumman than the F-22 Raptor. The large size of the aircraft combined with the greater range, powerful weapons, and modern on-Board equipment, providing a wide range of detection and destruction of targets.


To conduct research and development work in the framework of the project of the fighter of the next generation of allocated 260 million dollars. The estimated cost of the program is estimated at $ 40 billion, but, of course, will require far greater costs.
The New plane should be ready by the beginning of 2030-ies. The Japanese military leadership plans to replace them now, standing on the armament of the air force fighter planes. In the event of armed conflict the Japanese will be able to use the fighter at a considerable distance from their borders.

Another Asian country with a developed economy and high technology, which has made no secret of the desire to acquire a fifth generation fighter for the Republic of Korea. In 2001 it became known that the South Korean leadership hopes in the future to begin developing their own aircraft. Then, twenty years ago, it was planned that the new aircraft will replace aging F-4 Phantom II (currently still 71 in queue) and F-5E/F Tiger II (currently, about 190 units) used in the South Korean air force.
In 2008 work began on a program to build aircraft. It soon became clear that the cost of the program will be very expensive even for non-poor South Korea, the military budget which is catching up with the Japanese and is $ 44 billion. Therefore, in order not to bear all expenses on their own, in Seoul turned to the tried and tested method – search for a state wishing to become a partner and split the cost on a new aircraft.
Initially as a partner was considered Turkey, but the sides have not come to an agreement in Ankara wanted to participate in the program 50:50, while South Korea insisted on their participation in a 60:40. As a result, in 2010, the negotiations with the Turkish leadership has been discontinued. Then the Koreans have a new prospective partner – Indonesia.

The Representatives of Indonesia agreed to 20%, then the project was called KF-X/IF-x program Cost is estimated at 5-10 billion dollars, which is many times less than the cost of a similar Japanese project. It is planned to create all the prototypes of the fighter KF-X in 2021, producing in 2022 the first flight, and in 2026 to begin mass production. Announced and estimated figures of the order of 120 aircraft to Korea, and 80 aircraft for Indonesia.
Thus, we see that Japan is seeking to create its own costly fighter of the fifth generation, setting the highest possible standards. For South Korea, in turn, is important and the cost of the project. In an effort to save money, South Korea invited to participate in the program Indonesia.
Interestingly, among Polish readers it Korean project of particular interest.


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