South Korea Receives First Production KF-21 Boramae Fighter

The Republic of Korea Air Force has received its first domestically produced KF-21 Boramae fighter jet.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Republic of Korea Air Force announced this in a joint statement.

The fighter flew from Korea Aerospace Industries’ plant in Sacheon to an Air Force unit in Yecheon on September 22.

FA-50, TA-50, and T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft escorted the KF-21 during the flight.

The delivery of the first production KF-21 marks the program’s transition from development to operational service. This milestone came more than four years after the KF-21 prototype made its first flight on July 19, 2022.

The KF-21 is expected to gradually replace the aging F-5 aircraft currently in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force.

The first production KF-21 fighter was unveiled in March 2026.

Korea Aerospace Industries presented the first KF-21 prototype in April 2021 and began series production in June 2024. In May 2026, the aircraft completed combat suitability certification.

By 2028, the company plans to produce 40 KF-21 Block I aircraft, primarily intended for air-to-air combat. This will be followed by the production of the Block II version, which will have full capabilities for employing precision-guided air-to-ground weapons and anti-ship missiles. The total planned production is 120 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2032.

The first production KF-21 Boramae fighter during its handover to the Republic of Korea Air Force, September 2026. Still from a video by Yoo Yong-won.

KF-21 Boramae

South Korea developed the fighter under its KF-X program as a next-generation tactical aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force.

The KF-21 Boramae is classified as a 4++ generation fighter and incorporates extensive low-observable technologies into its design. However, the aircraft still carries weapons on external hardpoints, which significantly increases its radar signature and reduces its overall stealth characteristics.

During development, the aircraft’s weapons system was integrated with modern air-to-air missiles, including the short-range IRIS-T and AIM-9X, the medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM, and the long-range Meteor. The aircraft has 10 external hardpoints for these weapons: six under the wings and four under the fuselage.