As full-scale mass production of the Korean fighter KF-21 gets underway, attention is also turning to whether a next-generation fighter will be developed. The global defense industry sees manned-unmanned teaming—such as a human pilot also controlling drones—as having taken hold as the concept of a sixth-generation fighter. In Korea, however, the operational concept for manned-unmanned teaming remains unclear and there is no official prototype development program, prompting assessments that progress is slow.
According to the defense industry and others on the 8th, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy last June established Edgewing, a joint venture for joint fighter development (GCAP). Edgewing's equity is held 33% each by the U.K.'s BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo S.p.A., and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. BAE Systems defines the fighter as sixth-generation and said it will equip it with intelligent weapons, an interactive cockpit, and artificial intelligence (AI) drones.
On the 1st, Edgewing signed a contract with Zaigo, an international organization established by the three governments for the purpose of fighter development, and began design work. The target for operational deployment is 2035.
Germany, France, and Spain have also agreed to develop the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Although France and Germany have been at odds over project leadership, the timeline they have officially disclosed for fielding is 2040.
Defense powerhouses have embarked on joint development of sixth-generation fighters to reduce reliance on foreign-made weapons and secure strategic autonomy.
If sixth-generation fighters are developed along the current lines, including AI and drone swarm control, autonomy becomes a critical criterion. Radar data, various software, and even satellite communication networks must be linked, raising concerns that if a foreign sixth-generation fighter is imported, the country of origin would effectively control the fighter's network.
Development expense is also a reason for joint development. The Financial Times reported last year that the total program cost for FCAS is estimated at more than €100 billion (about 150 trillion won), and that no single country can shoulder the cost of developing a sixth-generation fighter alone.
That is because astronomical sums are poured not only into AI but also into high-performance next-generation engines and stealth capabilities. There is also analysis that they have chosen to cooperate to maintain parts supply chains and technical expertise and prevent leaks.
An aviation industry official said, "There is currently bickering such as the tug-of-war between France and Germany, but Europe ultimately remains set on being a 'producer' rather than a buyer of sixth-generation fighters," adding, "It is a choice not only to foster domestic industry but also in response to the growing difficulty of securing advanced technologies."
By contrast, Korea has yet to finalize plans even for a fifth-generation fighter. In the defense industry, fighters with wideband low observability and added stealth capabilities are classified as fifth-generation. There is speculation that those features will be added in the KF-21 Block III program, but nothing has been decided officially.
A roadmap for introducing a sixth-generation fighter has also not been finalized. At a National Assembly audit in Oct. last year, the Air Force outlined a plan to secure a sixth-generation fighter in the mid-2040s. However, it is still reportedly reviewing whether to develop it with domestic technology or purchase it from overseas.
In the defense industry, there are calls to finalize development plans for fifth- and sixth-generation fighters and to rapidly commercialize manned-unmanned teaming in the air domain. A defense industry official said, "The development direction of the next-generation airframe needs to be set so corporations can make investments and other follow-on plans. Collaborating from the development planning stage is one option."