South Korea’s government, along with selected prototype companies, has launched a project to develop a 16,000 lbf-class engine. However, experts warn that acquiring the necessary technology will pose significant challenges. Currently, only about 400 people are involved in domestic aircraft engine research and development, raising concerns about the need to expand the workforce.
According to military officials and defense industry sources, a South Korean defense company recently explored the possibility of partnering with the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer to jointly develop the engine. However, the U.S. government has restricted this collaboration due to concerns over the potential leakage of aerospace technology. The engine in question, developed in the 1980s, is part of a field where companies often avoid patenting technology to protect against leaks, making it difficult to reference existing innovations.
The U.S. State Department enforces the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), part of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, to regulate exports of military goods, technological data, and military-related items.
Despite being an ally, the U.S. has never sold its F-22 fighter jet, regarded as the world’s most advanced, to other countries. The U.S. is now developing a sixth-generation fighter jet with plans for deployment by 2030. The F-22 is equipped with two 25,000 lbf engines capable of reaching internal temperatures of up to 2,200 degrees. A source from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) noted that the engine the country plans to develop is significantly less powerful. “In terms of engines, South Korea is about 50 years behind,” the source said.
Other officials pointed out that acquiring technical data or learning from foreign researchers is challenging due to national interests. They suggested that diplomatic negotiations, such as establishing factories in other countries, may be needed to overcome these obstacles.
While South Korea is focused on developing its own aircraft engines, the government is also considering the introduction of foreign technology for parts of the project that may take longer. The South Korean Air Force is planning to introduce next-generation fighter jets in the 2040s, though this timeline may shift, as the U.S., Japan, and Europe are all working on their next-generation jets before then. Shim Hyun-seok, a leader in advanced aircraft engine development at the DAPA, explained, “Korean companies don’t have uniform technology across all areas, so we are considering foreign technology for parts of the development that may take longer.”
The defense industry has stressed that securing a skilled workforce is critical to achieving self-reliance in engine technology. According to the DAPA, about 200 experts in aircraft engines work at Hanwha Aerospace and Doosan Enerbility, with an additional 220 researchers at universities. Including indirect personnel with experience in industrial gas turbine engine development, the total is around 800—still a small fraction of the workforce in the U.S.
The DAPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, has designated aircraft engines as a national strategic technology and increased tax credits for research and development personnel. A source from the administration said, “This is a strategic approach to securing research personnel,” adding, “We expect to need about 500 more staff and will continue to explore solutions to address the staffing challenge.”
