South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration has opened industry bidding for a concept study on a Korean next-generation fighter, an early step toward a potential sixth-generation aircraft. The 14-month effort seeks proposals on the aircraft’s operational concept, configuration and technology roadmap, with the tender framed as exploratory work rather than a formal development launch. The budget is 900 million won, or about $650,000.
The request for proposals invites companies to assess both tailless and conventional single-seat configurations, along with broadband low observability, artificial intelligence-enabled manned-unmanned teaming, adaptive-cycle engines and an internal weapons bay. South Korea has not committed to full-scale development, and the study is intended to help define requirements and feasibility before any decision on a production programme.
The exercise gives industry an early role in shaping the aircraft’s long-term design path and builds on experience gained from the KF-21 programme. One report indicated that bids are due on 1 October, while South Korea’s 2026 budget already included funding for next-generation fighter and related technology research.