SEOUL, — South Korea has delivered the first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae fighter to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), marking the transition of the indigenous fighter program from development and testing to production and operational introduction.
The aircraft, designated No. 001, was handed over at Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) facility in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. Major Han Jae-seok of the 156th Fighter Squadron signed the acceptance documents and piloted the aircraft to its new base at Yecheon Air Base.
During the delivery flight, the KF-21 was escorted by an FA-50, TA-50 and T-50 Golden Eagle.
The delivery came about four years and two months after the first KF-21 prototype's maiden flight on July 19, 2022. The first prototype was rolled out in April 2021, mass production began in June 2024, and the first production aircraft rolled out in March 2026 before completing its acceptance procedures.
KF-21 Development and Testing
The KF-21 is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter developed by KAI. The aircraft is about 16.9 meters long, has an 11.2-meter wingspan, a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, and a maximum takeoff weight of around 25.6 metric tons. Its payload capacity is up to 7.7 tons.
The fighter is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400K afterburning turbofan engines, assembled in South Korea by Hanwha Aerospace, and equipped with the domestically developed Hanwha Systems APY-016K AESA radar.
Six prototypes completed approximately 1,600 flight tests covering around 13,000 test conditions, including aerial refueling and air-to-air weapons testing. The KF-21 received combat suitability certification in May 2026 and completed system development in June 2026.
The program originated from a South Korean indigenous fighter initiative launched in 2001 under then-President Kim Dae-jung. Full system development began in December 2015 in partnership with Indonesia. The Korean name Boramae means “young hawk.”
First KF-21 Squadron
The 156th Fighter Squadron, part of the 16th Fighter Wing, was reactivated on June 1, 2026, to become the first ROKAF unit to operate the KF-21. The squadron previously operated F-4E Phantom fighters before being deactivated in 2012.
Initial KF-21 pilots and maintenance personnel have completed specialized training and will now prepare the aircraft for service.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Son Sug-rag said the handover marked the point at which responsibility for the KF-21 moves from the program's policymakers and developers to the Air Force. He called on personnel operating the aircraft to take pride and responsibility in managing the new fighter.
120 KF-21s Planned
South Korea plans to introduce 120 KF-21s in two production blocks.
Block I will consist of 40 aircraft focused on air-to-air capabilities, with deliveries planned through 2028. Block II will add 80 aircraft with expanded air-to-ground capabilities, including long-range missiles, with deliveries planned through 2032.
The ROKAF plans to formally declare the KF-21 operational in the second half of 2027. The aircraft is intended to gradually replace the country's aging F-5 fleet and become a core element of its future fighter inventory.
South Korea's proposed 2027 defense budget includes about 3.3 trillion won for KF-21 mass production, up from 1.4 trillion won in the current year, supporting both the initial production batch and preparations for follow-on production.
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