TSAMTO, September 25. The South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has handed over to the command of the Republic of Korea Air Force the first production fighter KF-21 Boramae version Block.1.
The aircraft, made in a two-seat modification with tail number 26-001, flew from KAI's enterprise in Sacheon to the "Yechon" airbase (Gyeongsangbuk-do province) on September 22. It will be part of the 156th Fighter Squadron of the 16th Fighter Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force. On the same day, a certificate of acceptance and transfer of the fighter was signed, which marked the official adoption of the KF-21 into service.
Previously, the 156th Fighter Squadron operated F-4E Phantom fighters. In 2012, it was disbanded, but was recreated on June 1, 2026 as a unit equipped with the KF-21.
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 research and development conducted since 2002. The KF-21 is to replace the fleet of obsolete F-4 and F-5 aircraft. 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. 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 Boramae 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 production two-seat aircraft began in July 2024 and was completed in 2025. The aircraft was rolled out on March 25, 2026. 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 KF-21 is expected to be officially declared ready for combat use in the second half of 2027.
The Republic of Korea Air Force plans to purchase 120 aircraft, of which 40 are to be delivered between 2026 and 2028, and another 80 units. – by 2032. KAI plans to start exporting the KF-21 in 2028.
Despite the start of production, KAI and other companies of the military-industrial complex of the Republic of Korea continue to develop the KF-21 project. In particular, a multi-purpose supersonic cruise missile designed to destroy ground targets and a long-range "air-to-air" missile are being developed for the aircraft.
The draft defense budget for 2027 provides for the allocation of about 3.3 trillion for the initial and subsequent serial production of the KF-21. won ($2.4 billion).
Developed under the management of the Defense Development Agency (ADD), the supersonic spacecraft is equipped with a ramjet engine and is expected to be able to reach speeds of 2.5 M and hit ground targets at a distance of 300 km. The final tests with a rocket launch from the FA-50 aircraft are scheduled to take place in October-December 2026.
The ADD Agency is expected to select the preferred bidders for the development of the long-range "air-to-air" missile LRAAM in October 2026.
