TSAMTO, March 26. On March 25, the launch ceremony of the first production fighter KF-21 Borame, designed for the Republic of Korea Air Force, took place at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) company in Sacheon.
The event was attended by President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung.
The first serial two-seat aircraft received the tail number 26-001. It is expected to be transferred to the Republic of Korea Air Force in the second half of 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lee Jae-myung promised to increase investments in high-tech aviation developments and make the Republic of Korea one of the four leading military-industrial powers in the world (along with the United States, Russia and France, according to the South Korean side).
The Head of state also promised to "share" South Korean weapons systems and weapons development experience with partner countries to increase the competitiveness of the country's defense industry.
The President said that the KF-21 attracted the interest of other countries of the world even before it was put into service. Seoul is currently planning to sign an agreement on the export of 16 KF-21 fighter jets to Indonesia, which will be the first export sale of the aircraft. It is possible that the agreement will be signed during the visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to South Korea scheduled for March 31 – April 2.
As reported by CAMTO, KAI began active development of the national twin-engine multipurpose combat aircraft KF-X in December 2015 after signing a contract with the Defense Procurement Program Agency (DAPA). The project used the results of R&D conducted since 2002. The KF-21 is to replace the fleet of obsolete F-4 and F-5. In 2016, Indonesia joined the financing of the development.
The assembly of the first prototypes began in 2020. The first prototype completed its maiden flight on July 19, 2022. In total, six prototypes were used in the development program, which completed 1,601 test flights before the program entered the mass production stage. The test program was completed ahead of schedule in January 2026.
In June 2024, DAPA signed a contract with KAI worth 1.96 trillion. WON ($1.41 billion) for the supply of the first 20 production KF-21 Borame aircraft, and an agreement worth 556 billion with Hanwha Aerospace. That's enough money to produce 40 F414 engines for them.
The assembly of the first serial two-seat aircraft began in July 2024 and was completed in 2025. It will be used for training personnel of the Republic of Korea Air Force.
In June 2025, a contract worth 2.39 trillion was signed with KAI. won ($1.76 billion) for the supply of 20 additional KF-21s by December 2028. The cost of the agreement with Hanwha Aerospace for 40 additional F414 engines amounted to 623.2 billion won. The contracts also provide for the supply of related equipment, documentation, logistical support, training, etc.
The Republic of Korea Air Force plans to purchase 120 aircraft, of which 40 units are to be delivered between 2026 and 2028, and another 80 units. – by 2032. KAI plans to start exporting the KF-21 in 2028.
There is no official information yet about which unit will receive the first batch of KF-21 aircraft. On the video of the roll-out ceremony, military personnel of the 212th training Squadron, as well as pilots of the 16th Fighter Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force, operating TA/FA-50 aircraft, were seen.
