Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has awarded BAE Systems an $11 million contract to integrate an advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system into the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, strengthening the aircraft’s situational awareness and combat identification capabilities. The upgrade supports the KF-21’s role as a 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft designed for operations in complex and contested airspace.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will deliver its AN/APX-127(V)1 Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT), enabling the fighter to accurately identify allied platforms and distinguish them from potential threats. Work on the new IFF system is being carried out at BAE facilities in Greenlawn, New York, and Austin, Texas, with system delivery, aircraft integration, and certification scheduled for 2026.
The AN/APX-127(V)1 CIT features an open-system architecture, allowing software-driven upgrades that reduce lifecycle costs and minimize integration risk compared to hardware-intensive modifications. The system also supports advanced cryptographic functions, anti-jam protection, and enhanced cybersecurity resilience, ensuring compliance with modern operational requirements.
Designed as a direct replacement for the AN/APX-126(V) currently installed on the KF-21, the new IFF can be fitted without airframe modifications. Certified to Mark XIIB standards, the system supports Mode S and Mode 5 encrypted data exchange, while additional receive channels enable passive acquisition of Mode 5 Level 2 and ADS-B In data, significantly improving pilot awareness and interoperability with allied forces.
